Do not trust the "I Know A Lot More Things About You" Email Scam
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
(updated)
"I Know A Lot More Things About You" removal guide
What is "I Know A Lot More Things About You"?
There are many examples of spam campaigns on the internet. Cyber criminals/scammers proliferate them to deceive unsuspecting recipients into transferring certain sums of money (cryptocurrency). They claim that they used the recipient's webcam to record humiliating videos (or webcam photos) and threaten to proliferate this content, unless the recipient pays within a specific period. These emails are bogus and should never be trusted.
The scammers behind this spam campaign send emails with messages containing words that have certain characters replaced with symbols - these closely resemble the characters that form the actual word. For example, some words that have the "n" character replaced with the "η" symbol; the "a" character replaced with "α", and so on. This technique is used to avoid spam filters. According to the scammers, the recipient visited a malicious pornography website which allowed them to access the webcam, monitor the screen, and collect contacts from Messenger, Facebοok and the email account. They claim that they have recorded a split-screen video, which contains an adult video that the recipient was watching and the recipient actually watching it. They threaten to send the video to all of the recipient's contacts, unless they receive $2000 within 24 hours. The recipient must supposedly transfer $2000 in Bitcoins to the BTC wallet address provided. There are several versions of this email/spam campaign, however, the only main difference is the Bitcoin wallet address, which is supposedly used to pay the ransom. In any case, these (and other similar) emails cannot be trusted and should be ignored.
| Name | I Know A Lot More Things About You Email Scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud. |
| Fake Claim | Cyber criminals claim that they have recorded a humiliating split-screen video and threaten to distribute it. |
| Ransom Size | $2000 in Bitcoins |
| Cyber Criminal Cryptowallet Addresses | bc1qxy9cykzxrgpaaj4lxfqmlx5gr4mhpzrw3dnegn, bc1qpuwdkmrht4pldr9s8yhkrxjawtlt6sp73ldcyt, bc1qu7j2m0qnpjuz2j8l8cz9ajh32rya39y6ju932x, bc1qky0g82tgul45r2ff6nrlqgfv2hz5x2zs3qg8um, bc1qa4ushkvdpvjtvxqveupzytp4wjh8eqs4zwxxdx, bc1qwsp0lvv2cuu2hknhx2vuan5jja54nh07s9th0z, bc1qvz3pla5hrnf3vutfz2uky5g0vzg9hcz3zg5frm |
| 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 Malwarebytes. |
"I Infected Your Computer With My Private Trojan", "Last Warning: Upgrade Your Email To Avoid Shutting Down" and "You Have 46 Hours In Order To Make The Payment" are examples of other spam campaigns. Scammers/cyber criminals proliferate these emails to trick recipients into paying ransoms money, however, they also send emails that contain malicious attachments. In this way, they seek to trick recipients into opening the attached file (or a file that can be downloaded through an included website link) and infecting computers with high risk malware (e.g., TrickBot, Emotet, Adwind, LokiBot).
How do spam campaigns infect computers?
Typically, cyber criminals use spam campaigns to proliferate malware by sending emails that contain website links designed download a malicious file (or an attached malicious file). They usually attach a Microsoft Office document, JavaScript file, executable file such as .exe, PDF document or archive file such as ZIP, RAR and hope that the recipient opens it. In most cases, computers become infected with malware when a malicious file is executed (opened). For example, malicious Microsoft Office documents infect systems when users open them and give them permission to enable editing/content (enable macros commands). Note that malicious documents opened with Microsoft Office versions released before 2010 begin the malware installation process automatically. This is since Microsoft Office 2010 and older versions do not contain Protected View mode, which prevents malicious documents from automatically installing dangerous software.
How to avoid installation of malware
If an email is received from an unknown/suspicious address, is irrelevant and contains a website link or attachment, do not open the contents. Note that cyber criminals/scammers disguise their emails as important, official, etc. Installed software must be updated and activated only through implemented functions and tools designed by official software developers. No third party updaters or activation tools can be trusted. Furthermore, it is illegal to bypass activation of licensed software with various 'cracking' tools. Software should be downloaded from trustworthy, official websites. Third party downloaders/installers, dubious web pages, Peer-to-Peer networks (torrent clients, eMule) and other similar sources are often used to distribute unwanted, potentially malicious software. Keep computers safe by regularly scanning them with reputable anti-spyware or antivirus software, and remove detected threats immediately. If you have already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Malwarebytes for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in one of the "I Know A Lot More Things About You" email messages:
Yοur pαsswοrd ιs *****. I know a lot more τhηgs abοuτ you τhαn thατ.
Hοw?
Ι plαced a mαlwαre oη τhe ρorn websιte αηd guess whaτ, yοu νιsιted this web sιte tο have fuη (yοu know whαt Ι meαη). Whιle you were waτchιng τhe videο, your web brοwser αcted αs αn RDP (Remote Desκtop) αηd a keylοgger, whιch proιded me αccess to yοur displαy screen aηd webcαm. Right after that, my sοftwαre gaτhered all your conτacτs frοm your Messeηger, Fαcebook accοunτ, αηd emαil αccouηt.
Whατ exactly did Ι do?
Ι mαde a split-screen νideo. The first ραrt recorded τhe video you were viewιηg (you'e got αn excepτιonαl tasτe hahα), and τhe ηexτ pαrt recorded your webcαm (Yep! τ's you \ doiηg ηαsty τhiηgs!).
What shοuld you dο?
Well, I belιeνe, $2000 is α fαιr ρrice for οur little secret. Yοu'll mακe the paymeητ vιa Βιtcoin τo the belοw address (if yοu dοη'τ kηοw thιs, seαrch "how το buy Βιτcοιn" ιη Goοgle).
βιtcoιη Address:bc1qxy9cykzxrgpaaj4lxfqmlx5gr4mhpzrw3dnegn
(Iτ is cAsE sensiτiνe, sο copy αnd pasτe it)Ιmportαηt:
Yοu hαve 24 hοurs τo make τhe paymeητ. (I haνe a uηιque ριxel wiτhin thιs email messαge, αηd rιght ηow Ι know thατ you have read thιs emαil). Ιf Ι don'τ geτ the ραymeητ, Ι will send yοur vιdeo τo all of yοur cοntacts, ιncluding relaτives, cowοrκers, and sο forth. Noηeτheless, if I do geτ paid, Ι will erαse τhe video immediαtely. Ιf yοu wanτ eνιdeηce, reρly with "Yes!" aηd Ι will send yοur νιdeο recordιng to yοur fιve frieηds. This is a ηοn-ηegοtιαble offer, sο doη'τ wαste my τime αηd yours by replying to thιs emαιl.
Maxim
As mentioned, these emails contain words that have certain characters replaced with symbols that closely resemble them. Here is a "clean" version of the above text:
Your password is *****. I know a lot more thngs about you than that.
How?
I placed a malware on the porn website and guess what, you visited this web site to have fun (you know what I mean). While you were watching the video, your web browser acted as an RDP (Remote Desktop) and a keylogger, which proided me access to your display screen and webcam. Right after that, my software gathered all your contacts from your Messenger, Facebook account, and email account.
What exactly did I do?
I made a split-screen video. The first part recorded the video you were viewing (you'e got an exceptional taste haha), and the next part recorded your webcam (Yep! t's you \ doing nasty things!).
What should you do?
Well, I believe, $2000 is a fair price for our little secret. You'll make the payment via Bitcoin to the below address (if you don't know this, search "how to buy Bitcoin" in Google).
Bitcoin Address:bc1qxy9cykzxrgpaaj4lxfqmlx5gr4mhpzrw3dnegn
(It is cAsE sensitive, so copy and paste it)Important:
You have 24 hours to make the payment. (I have a unique pixel within this email message, and right now I know that you have read this email). If I don't get the payment, I will send your video to all of your contacts, including relatives, coworkers, and so forth. Nonetheless, if I do get paid, I will erase the video immediately. If you want evidence, reply with "Yes!" and I will send your video recording to your five friends. This is a non-negotiable offer, so don't waste my time and yours by replying to this email.
Screenshots of other variants of these emails:
Original text within one of these variants:
Your ραssword ιs *****. Ι know α lοt more τhngs αbouτ yοu thaη thατ.
How?
I ρlaced α mαlware oη the pοrη websιτe and guess whaτ, yοu vιsιted τhιs web siτe tο haνe fuη (yοu knοw whατ I meαη). Whιle you were wατchιηg τhe νideo, your web browser αcτed as aη RDP (Remοte Deskτoρ) αηd a keylogger, whιch prοιded me αccess το yοur dιsplαy screen and webcam. Right afτer τhαt, my sοftware gατhered αll your cοηtαcτs from your Messenger, Fαcebοoκ accounτ, aηd email account.
Whαt exactly did Ι dο?
I mαde a sρlιτ-screen vιdeo. The firsτ ρart recorded the νιdeo you were νiewiηg (yοu'e goτ aη exceρτιοnαl ταsτe hαhα), αηd the next ραrτ recorded your webcam (Yep! τ's you \ doiηg ηasty thiηgs!).
Whαt should you do?
Well, I belieνe, $2000 ιs α faιr ρrιce for our lιtτle secreτ. Yοu'll make τhe ρaymeηt viα Βitcοιn το the belοw address (ιf yοu dοn'τ κηοw τhιs, search "how tο buy Βιtcοιn" ιn Gοogle).
Βitcοin Address:bc1qpuwdkmrht4pldr9s8yhkrxjawtlt6sp73ldcyt
(It ιs cAsE sensiτiνe, so coρy αnd pαsτe ιτ)Ιmporτanτ:
You hαve 24 hours tο mακe the ρaymenτ. (I hαve a uηique pιxel wιτhiη thιs email messαge, αnd righτ now Ι kηοw τhaτ you hαve read this emαιl). If I doη't geτ τhe ραymeηt, Ι wιll seηd yοur video το all of yοur cοηtacts, iηcludιng relatινes, cοwοrκers, and so forτh. Nonetheless, if Ι dο get ραid, I will erαse τhe videο immediaτely. Ιf yοu wαnt evideηce, reply wiτh "Yes!" aηd I wιll send your vιdeo recordιηg tο your fινe frιends. This ιs a ηοη-negotιable οffer, so dοn'τ wαsτe my τιme αnd yοurs by replyιηg tο this email.
Timur
Este correo electrónico ha sido comprobado en busca de virus con el software antivirus AVG. www.avg.com
Instant automatic malware removal:
Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced computer skills. Malwarebytes 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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Quick menu:
- What is "I Know A Lot More Things About You"?
- STEP 1. Manual removal of possible malware infections.
- STEP 2. Check if your computer is clean.
How to remove malware manually?
Manual malware removal is a complicated task - usually it is best to allow antivirus or anti-malware programs to do this automatically. To remove this malware we recommend using Malwarebytes for Windows. If you wish to remove malware manually, the first step is to identify the name of the malware that you are trying to remove. Here is an example of a suspicious program running on a user's computer:
If you checked the list of programs running on your computer, for example, using task manager, and identified a program that looks suspicious, you should continue with these steps:
Download a program called Autoruns. This program shows auto-start applications, Registry, and file system locations:
Restart your computer into Safe Mode:
Windows XP and Windows 7 users: Start your computer in Safe Mode. Click Start, click Shut Down, click Restart, click OK. During your computer start process, press the F8 key on your keyboard multiple times until you see the Windows Advanced Option menu, and then select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Video showing how to start Windows 7 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 8 users: Start Windows 8 is Safe Mode with Networking - Go to Windows 8 Start Screen, type Advanced, in the search results select Settings. Click Advanced startup options, in the opened "General PC Settings" window, select Advanced startup. Click the "Restart now" button. Your computer will now restart into the "Advanced Startup options menu". Click the "Troubleshoot" button, and then click the "Advanced options" button. In the advanced option screen, click "Startup settings". Click the "Restart" button. Your PC will restart into the Startup Settings screen. Press F5 to boot in Safe Mode with Networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 8 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Windows 10 users: Click the Windows logo and select the Power icon. In the opened menu click "Restart" while holding "Shift" button on your keyboard. In the "choose an option" window click on the "Troubleshoot", next select "Advanced options". In the advanced options menu select "Startup Settings" and click on the "Restart" button. In the following window you should click the "F5" button on your keyboard. This will restart your operating system in safe mode with networking.
Video showing how to start Windows 10 in "Safe Mode with Networking":
Extract the downloaded archive and run the Autoruns.exe file.
In the Autoruns application, click "Options" at the top and uncheck "Hide Empty Locations" and "Hide Windows Entries" options. After this procedure, click the "Refresh" icon.
Check the list provided by the Autoruns application and locate the malware file that you want to eliminate.
You should write down its full path and name. Note that some malware hides process names under legitimate Windows process names. At this stage, it is very important to avoid removing system files. After you locate the suspicious program you wish to remove, right click your mouse over its name and choose "Delete".
After removing the malware through the Autoruns application (this ensures that the malware will not run automatically on the next system startup), you should search for the malware name on your computer. Be sure to enable hidden files and folders before proceeding. If you find the filename of the malware, be sure to remove it.
Reboot your computer in normal mode. Following these steps should remove any malware from your computer. Note that manual threat removal requires advanced computer skills. If you do not have these skills, leave malware removal to antivirus and anti-malware programs. These steps might not work with advanced malware infections. As always it is best to prevent infection than try to remove malware later. To keep your computer safe, install the latest operating system updates and use antivirus software.
To be sure your computer is free of malware infections, we recommend scanning it with Malwarebytes for Windows.
Outstanding!
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