Avoid infecting your device with malware via fake "Proforma" emails

What is "Proforma Email Virus"?

"Proforma Email Virus" is a spam email campaign used to proliferate a high-risk trojan called LokiBot. Cyber criminals send deceptive emails to thousands of users. The emails contain messages encouraging users to open an attached file - this results in infiltration of the LokiBot virus.

"Proforma Email Virus" overview

The email is presented as a notification of a payment and contains a number of attachments: malicious executables presented as invoices in PDF format. Users are urged to open them and read the information within, however, this simply executes LokiBot malware. Note that criminals sign the message as an assistant manager from Weber Solutions Ltd.

This is an attempt to give the impression of legitimacy. In this way, criminals significantly increase the number of infections, since users are much more likely to open attachments received from known companies. LokiBot also records sensitive data including saved logins, passwords, and keystrokes.

Cyber criminals aim to generate as much revenue as possible and information such as account credentials is valuable. There is a high probability that criminals will gain access to victims' bank, social network, and other accounts. They then misuse these through online purchases, money transfers, borrowing money from friends on social networks, and so on.

Therefore, the presence of trojans such as LokiBot can lead to serious privacy issues or even identity theft. If you have already opened attachments from the "Proforma Email Virus" email campaign, immediately scan the system with a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite and eliminate all detected threats.

Examples of malware spread by spam campaigns

There are many viruses distributed using spam campaigns including Adwind, FormBook, TrickBot, Emotet, and Hancitor. The developers of these viruses are different and, thus, their behavior might also differ slightly (some record data, others cause chain infections, etc.), however, all pose a significant threat to your privacy and computer safety. Therefore, you should eliminate these threats immediately.

How did "Proforma Email Virus" infect my computer?

As mentioned above, the "Proforma Email Virus" campaign is used to proliferate malicious attachments. The files are presented as PDF documents (called ********.PDF.r00 and ********.pdf.exe). This is done to trick unsuspecting users into opening the files. They are in fact malicious executables that, once opened, trigger the infection.

Note, however, that users must run the executable manually. Therefore, lack of knowledge of these threats and careless behavior are the main reasons for computer infections.

How to avoid installation of malware?

To prevent this situation, be very cautious when browsing the internet. Think twice before opening email attachments. If the file/link is irrelevant or has been received from a suspicious/unrecognizable email address, do not open the attachments. Have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and running at all times.

These tools can detect and eliminate malware before any damage is done. Remember: the key to safety is caution. If you have already opened a "Proforma Email Virus" attachment, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in "Proforma Email Virus" email message:

Dear Sir,

Sorry I had to write you with our other email.

Please be informed that payment has been done against the PI, and also attached the TT copy for your checking and confirmation.

Kindly confirm & update us with the shipment readiness soon.

Youngseon Do.

Asst. Manager, Commercial & Logistics.

Weber Solutions Ltd.

A. House-10(2nd Floor), Road-06, Sector-01

Uttarra, Dhaka.

M +8801977552228

LokiBot malware process ("Payment Copy.PDF (~212KB).exe") in Windows Task Manager:

Another variant of "Proforma Email Virus" email message (also distributes LokiBot malware):

Text presented within this email:

Subject: PURCHASE ORDER/PROFORMA-26-11-08

Good Day,

We received your contact from a business partner who is your customer.

Attached is an order on some products you deal on.

Please kindly confirm availability and also quote your best price.

We are in urgent need of the attached products and hope to smoothly proceed to order confirmation/proforma and probably shipping arrangements.

Awaiting your response.

Best regards,

Jin Sui Ying
Shop 20-21,FirstFloor, 14 International Metal Trading Center,
Lanshi,Chancheng District, Post Code:528000, Foshan City,
Guangdong, China (Mainland) Office Ph: +86-0757-29838143
FAX:+86-0757-29838143
M: +8613751532021,
Whatapps: +8613751532021
Wechat:+8613751532021
Email: crisjinsuiying@126.com

LokiBot malware process ("Inapperceptible (32 bit)") in Windows Task Manager:

Another "Proforma Email Virus" variant used to spread FormBook trojan:

Text presented within this email:

Subject: DUE PROFORMA INVOICE S1438658

Attachment: S1438658-INV PDF.IMG

 

Hello,
Payment from our client to your company was declined due to wrong Account number.
Kindly find attached bank details in the invoice sent from our client for payment,You are to confirm that information is correct so we can proceed with transfer again.

Best Regards,

CS - Patchem
Account Payable
Cell # 0323-557768

Another variant of "Proforma Email Virus" distributing Remcos RAT:

Text presented within this email:

Subject: RE: Invoice [recipient's_email]

Attachment: Invoice.dat

Dear [recipient's_email]

Enclosed is the pro-forma invoice sent to us. We had to immediately write you directly as it is not workable for us. please review

Kindly please double check and confirm by return the following:

  1.  We agreed on 30% advance but PI is stated 50% advance.
  2.  Expected time of delivery is different from earlier agreed shipment date.
  3.  Pay attention to the Question marks we added to the PI to draw your attention to complete these parts.

Kindly amend and send back the revised PI so we can make the down payment

immediately.

Thanks & Regards

*****

(Purchasing Manager)

*****
*****

*****
*****

——————————————————————————

  P Save a Tree! Do not Print this Email if not Essential.

 This e-mail and any attachments are confidential to the addressee and may also be privileged. If you are not the addressee of this e-mail, you may not copy, forward, disclose or otherwise use it in any way what so ever. If you have received this e-mail by mistake, please e-mail the sender by replying to this message, and delete the original and any print out thereof.

Another variant of Proforma-themed spam email used to spread malware (njRat):

Text presented within:

Subject: [Top Urgent] Payment Advice for Proforma Invoice No.42037 dated 13/05/2021 for Usd.78116/

 

Dear ********,

Please find attached the Proforma Invoice No.42037 dated 13/05/2021 for Usd.78116/.

Kindly confirm that your bank details are correct before we proceed with payment.

Please confirm with your bank and revert back with your correct bank details for receiving payment.

Awaiting your payment details.

Best Regards,
Account Department.
Global Payments and Cash Management.
EMAIL : account@nijiconcept.com>
TEL：14938716789
FAX：0371-501555026
High tech Industrial Park, Dengfeng, Henan.

Yet another example of Proforma-themed spam email used to spread Formbook malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: Enquiry/Request For New Purchase

 

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have been introduced to your company by one of your customers.

We are interested to order same product which you recently supllied to them.

Attached you will find our Order/Enquiry sheet, please check them and send us your Proforma Invoice with your best discount price.

We look forward to receiving your reply.

Best Regards
Chua Tuck Seng/Purchase Dept

CEE Technologies Pte Ltd
62, Ubi Road 1
#08-10 Oxley Bizhub 2
Singapore 408734.
Tel: 6844 7538
Fax: 6742 2538

Yet another example of Proforma Invoice-themed spam email used to spread FormBook malware:

Text presented within:

Subject: Order_1537-25

 

Hello,

Here is our new order 1537-25

Please send me proforma invoice to be checked.

Regarding the new item  109-226 my colleague will send you sticker as soon as she has it.

Thank you!

Best regards,

Anastasiia Batsura

LLC "SILPO FOOD"

Supply Department | Logistics Office

e-mail: a.batsura@fozzy.ua

cell: +38 095 59 31 682

Screenshot of a proforma-themed spam email promoting a phishing site via attached HTML document:

Text presented within:

Subject: Remittance - Advice Ref:|Mail. Invoice.

 

Dear, ********

Attached is the Invoice and remittance Payment to all open profoma invoices till date remittance copy Sent: 11/17/2022 9:04:10 a.m.

Screenshot of the promoted phishing site:

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

Spam emails are not personal, even if they include details relevant to the recipient. This mail is distributed in mass-scale operations – therefore, thousands of users receive identical messages.

I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

No, merely opening an email is harmless. Devices are infected when malicious attachments or links are opened/clicked.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a spam email, is my computer infected?

If it was an executable (.exe, .run, etc.) – most likely, yes – since these files cause infections almost without fail. However, you might have avoided this if it was a document (.doc, .xls, .pdf, .one, etc.). These formats may require extra actions to jumpstart malware download/installation chains (e.g., enabling macro commands, clicking embedded content, etc.).

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?

Yes, Combo Cleaner is capable of detecting and eliminating most of the known malware infections. Note that sophisticated malicious software usually hides deep within systems – therefore, running a full system scan is paramount.