You Have 46 Hours In Order To Make The Payment Email Scam

What is "You have 46 Hours in order to make the payment"?

"You have 46 Hours to make the payment" is a scam email. It uses the sextortion scam model, by which scammers claim that they have obtained compromising material of the user (i.e., evidence of sexual activity) and threaten to publicize it unless a specified sum is paid. All claims made by this message are false, and therefore you should ignore these emails.

You have 46 Hours in order to make the payment spam campaign

The "You have 46 Hours to make the payment" message claims that it was sent by a hacker who supposedly gained access to the recipient's system and infected it with malware. The nonexistent infection has apparently originated from an adult-themed website, which the email states users have recently visited.

While the recipient was viewing the content of the adult site, the scammers allege that they had recorded the device's screen and used its web-camera to record the recipient. Additionally, the malicious software has exfiltrated various files (e.g. private documents, videos, photos, etc.) and the user's contact lists.

The created and stolen data has apparently been uploaded to a remote sever, and therefore using security services, reformatting the disk or destroying the device itself are of no use.

The message threatens that the recordings (split into two screens with one part displaying the content that was viewed at the time, and the other, footage of the user) will be sent to the contacts (e.g. relatives, coworkers, etc.) unless the recipient pays 500 USD in the Bitcoin cryptocurrency.

The email informs users that they have 46 hours from opening the message to pay the ransom. If payment is made, the fake compromising material will be deleted.

Note that you should not respond to these requests. If users reply with the word "yes", the scammers claim that will send videos to six of the contacts. The "You have 46 Hours to make the payment" email is simply a scam and all statements are bogus. Therefore, ignore this email and any others that make similar threats.

Threat Summary:
Name	You have 46 Hours in order to make the payment Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud.
Fake Claim	The scammers claim that they have made a compromising video of the recipient and this will be sent to all contacts, unless a specific sum is paid within a given time frame.
Ransom Amount	500 USD in Bitcoin cryptocurrency.
Cyber Criminal Cryptowallet Address	1KxcLRkaN9hfx3dZWurCNKbKhYsHzxa7xR (Bitcoin)
Symptoms	Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer.
Distribution methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft.
Malware Removal (Windows)	To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. Download Combo Cleaner To use full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Combo Cleaner. 7 days free trial available. Combo Cleaner is owned and operated by RCS LT, the parent company of PCRisk.com.

"Sextortion Email (Dash)", "Я Прôгрaммиcт, Кoтôрый Взлôмaл 0с Вaшeгô Уcтрôйcтвa", and "On this day I hacked your OS" are some examples of other email scams similar to "You have 46 Hours to make the payment". These deceptive messages are distributed using large scale spam campaigns.

This mail is usually disguised as "official", "urgent", "important", "urgent" and so on. There are various scam models used for nefarious purposes, not just sextortion.

The only purpose of such schemes is to generate revenue for the individuals behind them, however, blackmail and ransoms is just one method used. Scam emails can also be used to infect recipients' devices with trojans, ransomware and other malicious software.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Spam campaigns cause infections via dangerous files present in deceptive/scam emails. These files can be attached to this mail or linked inside (i.e., the messages contain download links). Infectious files can appear in various formats such as Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archive (ZIP, RAR) and executable (.exe, .run) files, JavaScript and many others.

When these malicious files are executed, run or otherwise opened, the infection process begins (they start downloading/installing malware).

For example, MS Office documents infect systems through macro commands. Upon opening, these documents request users to enable macro commands (i.e., to enable editing) - the infection is then triggered. In Microsoft Office versions released before 2010, this process begins automatically.

How to avoid installation of malware

Do not open suspicious or irrelevant emails, especially those received from suspect/unknown (senders) addresses. Any attachments or links found in dubious messages must never be opened, as this can result in an infection.

You are advised to use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010, as these have "Protected View" mode, which prevents malicious documents from starting the infection process upon opening. Spam campaigns are not the only way that malware proliferates.

It also proliferates via untrusted download sources, illegal activation tools ("cracks") and fake updaters. Therefore, use official and verified download channels. Software should be activated and updated with tools/functions provided be legitimate developers.

To ensure device integrity and user safety, have reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware installed and kept up to date. Use this software for regular system scans and removal of detected threats/issues. If you have already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "You have 46 Hours in order to make the payment" email message:

Subject: You have 46 Hours in order to make the payment

FINAL WARNING!

You have 46 Hours in order to make the payment. (I have a Facebook pixel in this email, and at this moment I know that you have read through this email message). If I do not get the Bitcoin, I will certainly send out your files and video recording to all your contacts including relatives, coworkers and all contacts. Having said that, if I receive the payment, I'll destroy all files and videos immediately. If you need evidence, reply with "Yes" and I will certainly send out your video recording to your 6 contacts. It is a non-negotiable offer, Don't waste my personal time and your by responding to this message.

I'm a Hacker who cracked your devices. I set up a malware on the adult video (p0rn) website and guess what, you visited this site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching videos, your internet browser started out functioning as an "HRDP" Hidden Remote Desktop Protocol which gave me accessibility to your screen and web camera. After that, my software program obtained all your contacts and files.

What did I do?
I generated a backup of your every system (private document files, video, photos, all files). I created a double-screen video. 1st part shows the video you were watching (you've got a good taste hahaha), and 2nd part shows the recording of your webcam. All your data is already uploaded to a remote server. Do not try to contact me. Various security services will not help you; formatting a disk or destroying a device will not help either since your data is already on a remote server.

Exactly what should you do?
Well, in my opinion, 500 (USD) Dollars is a fair price for our little secret. You'll make the payment by Bitcoin (search "Bitcoin Wallet" in Application Store then Download and Install it) Make a deposit to your wallet. After that, transfer it to my wallet.
My Bitcoin (BTC) wallet address: 1KxcLRkaN9hfx3dZWurCNKbKhYsHzxa7xR

(It is case sensitive, Bitcoin wallet address Beginning with 1 and ending with R).

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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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"

Example email with a fake invoice attachment

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"

Example sextortion email demanding bitcoin payment

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"

Example fake Norton or McAfee subscription renewal email

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"

Example fake DHL/USPS/FedEx delivery notification

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"

Example fake Microsoft or Apple tech support alert email

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)

Example business email compromise wire-transfer request

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.
Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
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.

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.

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.
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.
If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
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
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).
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

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.

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.