Avoid being scammed by fake "National UK Lottery" emails

What is the fake "National UK Lottery" email?

"National UK Lottery email scam" refers to a phishing spam campaign. The term "spam campaign" is used to define a mass-scale operation, during which thousands of deceptive emails are sent.

The messages sent through this spam campaign supposedly concern an extremely valuable prize from the "National UK Lottery" that the recipient has won and which has been mistakenly sent to a different address. Therefore, recipients are asked to pay storage fees and provide their personal information to have these packages shipped to them.

All information provided by these emails is false and is in no way associated with any official lotteries based in the United Kingdom or elsewhere. The goal of this spam campaign is to extract personal data and/or generate profit via payments received under false pretences.

More about the "National UK Lottery" scam email

The "National UK Lottery" scam emails (with subject/title "Call Mr Johnson Now for your delivery +12705514544", which might vary) inform recipients that their packages from the "National UK Lottery" arrived at the Chicago O'Hare International Airport due to an error. The package has been verified as legitimate and cleared by US customs.

The nonexistent parcel allegedly contains a box made from gold and is valued at over three million US dollars. The package is currently in the storage facility at the Chicago Airport, as it cannot be shipped out due to an incorrect address.

The messages ask recipients to provide the following information: full name, current address, telephone number, occupation, and nearest airport in relation to their current location to have the parcel shipped to them. Additionally, the period of free storage has ended.

Therefore, recipients will start being charged US$125 (USD) per day until the fake package is sent out. Apparently, shipping is free of charge, however, storage is not indefinite and, unless users address the issues, the parcel will be listed as an unclaimed consignment and potentially seized.

As mentioned, the "National UK Lottery" emails are scams and none of the information provided by them is valid. The purpose of these messages is to trick recipients into providing their personal data and possibly embroil them into a scam featuring various bogus monetary transactions.

To summarize, by trusting the "National UK Lottery" scam emails, users can experience serious privacy issues, financial loss, and even identity theft.

Similar scams in general

"Zoom Email Scam", "Deactivating All Inactive Accounts", "You Have Used Zoom Recently - I Have Very Unfortunate News" and "Google Forms Email Scam" are some examples of other spam campaigns.

The deceptive emails are usually presented as "official", "important", "urgent" and similar, and might even be disguised as mail from legitimate institutions, organizations, companies and other entities. Spam campaigns are not used just for phishing and other scams, they are also employed to proliferate Trojans, ransomware and other malware.

Regardless of what these messages claim, offer, request or demand, the purpose is to generate revenue for the scammers/cyber criminals behind them.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Systems are often infected via malicious files distributed through spam campaigns. These files can be attached and/or linked inside the emails. Infectious files can be in various formats (e.g. Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archive and executable files, JavaScript, etc.).

When these files are executed, run or otherwise opened, the infection process (i.e. malware download/installation) is triggered. For example, Microsoft Office documents (e.g. "Invoice_24077.xlsb") cause infections by executing malicious macro commands.

In Microsoft Office versions released prior to 2010, malware download/installation begins when an infectious document is opened, however, newer versions have "Protected View" mode that prevents automatic execution of macros.

Instead, users are asked to enable macro commands (i.e., to enable editing/content) and hence infection processes can only be started by manually enabling macros.

How to avoid installation of malware

To avoid malware spread via spam mail, you are strongly advised against opening suspicious or irrelevant emails, especially those with any attachments or links present within them. Additionally, use Microsoft Office versions released after 2010.

Malicious programs also proliferate through untrusted download channels (e.g. unofficial and free file-hosting sites, Peer-to-Peer sharing networks and other third party downloaders), illegal software activation ("cracking") tools, and fake updaters.

Therefore, only download from official/verified sources and activate and update software with tools/functions provided by legitimate developers. To ensure device integrity and user privacy, have a reputable anti-virus/anti-spyware suite installed and kept updated.

Furthermore, use these programs to run regular system scans and to remove detected/potential threats. 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 "National UK Lottery" scam email message:

Subject: Call Mr Johnson Now for your delivery +12705514544

Cargo Unit: Chicago O'Hare International Airport,
Airport code: ORD 10000 West O'Hare
Chicago, IL 60666:USA,
Email:(aircargounitcontrol.chicago@outlook.com)
Tele:+12705514544 or WhatsAPP+17023897559.

 

ATTENTION: Final Notice of Your Package In view of your inability to
receive your package with registration #: CT8100AF from National UK
Lottery London nited kingdom, originally scheduled to be delivered to you
by an agency, city express delivery (c.e.d).

 

This package in a golden metal box valued $3,316,000 USD (Three million
Four hundred and sixteen thousand dollars) mistakenly arrived at Chicago
O'Hare International Airport terminal 5 via British airways flight
no.BA297 from Heathrow airport London sometime ago. The package with
registration no,#: CT8100AF has been cleared by the USA customs and is
100% legitimate.

 

The agency, attached to the airport, city express delivery (c.e.d) who
delivered your package to your address have just return the package to our
storage facility at the Chicago Airport, due to incomplete address.Please
reconfirm these information's;

 

1. Your Full Name; .....
2. Your current address; ..........
3. Your phone number; ..............
4. Nearest airport to your location.........
5. Your Occupation; ...............

 

Therefore, I am writing to inform you that the days of grace has elapsed
and we shall begin to charge the daily storage fee of $125 USD ONLY, and
the fee will be direct to united nation head office Benin Republic. Please
call: Mr Johnson Nugent UN AGENT, on +12705514544 or WhatsAPP+1703897559
he will email you the name to wire the money to united nation head office
Benin Republic. Extension 21 terminal 5 or contact Email
address:(aircargounitcontrol.chicago@outlook.com)
to release this package directly to you.

 

Note that this notice serves as our last recovery notice to you as our
department will be compelled to shortlist your package as an unclaimed
consignment, and maybe forfeited. Note: Delivery of your package from the
airport to your residential address is free.

 

Best regards,

 

Mrs Sandra Leon
STORAGE OFFICER Terminal 5 Extension 11
Phone:+1703897559.

 

Consignment from United nation payment Delegation west Africa state.
Mrs Sandra Leon
UN CHIEF ON PAYMENT MATTERS.
Benin Republic
Whatsap Number: +17023897559

Appearance of the "National UK Lottery" scam email (GIF):

A German variant of national UK lottery-themed spam email:

Text presented within:

Subject: (*** GLÜCKWUNSCH AN DIE GEWINNER DER BRITISCHEN LOTTERIE 2022 ABSCHNITT ***)

 

Name: UK NATIONAL LOTTERY 2022: SUBJECT: (*** GLÜCKWUNSCH AN DIE GEWINNER DER BRITISCHEN LOTTERIE 2022 ABSCHNITT ***)

DIE NATIONALE LOTTERIE INC.
ADRESSE: TOLPITS LANE, WATFORD, HERTFORDSHIRE WD18 9RN
BUNDESLAND / PROVINZ: HERTFORDSHIRE
POSTCODE: WD18 9RN
LAND: UNITED KINGDOM.
WEBSITE:WWW.LOTTERY.CO.UK
 
************************************************** ******
REFERENZNUMMER: 835081758
BATCH: 9056480902/177
GEWINNNUMMER: 2828389499
************************************************** ******
 
Sehr geehrte
 
HERZLICHEN GLÜCKWUNSCH!!!
 
Wir, die Geschäftsführer der United Kingdom National Lottery Inc, informieren Sie hiermit per E-Mail über die Ergebnisse des Ballot Lottery International Program. Die letzten Züge wurden am 10. Mai.2022 durchgeführt. Ihr E-Mail-Konto wurde als Gewinner für den £ 4.500.000,00 GBP (£ 4,5 Millionen GBP) Bargeldpreis ausgewählt. Dieses Ergebnis wird Ihnen heute, am 19. Mai.2022, mitgeteilt, und Ihre E-Mail-Adresse in der Kategorie Eins hat £ 4,5 Millionen,00 GBP (£ 4,5 Millionen britische Pfund Sterling) gewonnen.
 
Die Geschäftsleitung der UK National Lottery Inc, Zahlungsabteilung: Hiermit wird Ihnen rechtlich bescheinigt, dass Sie als rechtmäßiger und glücklicher Gewinner und Empfänger der genehmigten Zahlung von £ 4,5 Millionen,00 GBP im Vereinigten Königreich, National Annual Lottery Programs, Kapitel 22, Abschnitt 107A, in dem Ihr E-Mail-Konto als der glückliche Gewinner ausgewählt wurde, in der dritten (3) Kategorie mit der genehmigten Zahlung von £ 4.500.000,00 Britische Pfund Sterling, sind.
 
Zahlungsreferenznummer: - *** (National Lottery.- REF NO: .835081758 / STAPEL NO: .8687869789 / 657) ***

Aus Sicherheitsgründen): - Bitte teilen Sie uns umgehend mit, dass diese E-Mail-Adresse Ihnen gehört und für die Bearbeitung Ihres Gewinnscheins sowie für die sofortige Bearbeitung der genehmigten Zahlung von £4.500.000,00 GBP an Sie als rechtmäßigen Begünstigten verwendet wird.
 
Wir bitten um Ihre sofortige Antwort.

Dies ist Teil unseres Sicherheitsprotokolls, um doppelte Ansprüche und ungerechtfertigten Missbrauch dieses Programms durch Betrug zu vermeiden, zu vermeiden. Sie müssen Ihre Gewinne spätestens bis zum 15.Oktober .2022 einfordern. Nach diesem Datum werden alle nicht beanspruchten Gelder an unser Zentralbüro zurückgegeben (als nicht beansprucht). Bitte beachten Sie, dass Sie, um unnötige Verzögerungen und Komplikationen zu vermeiden, in Ihrer gesamten Korrespondenz mit uns immer Ihre REF-NUMMER: 835081758 angeben müssen. Wir informieren Sie daher darüber, wie Sie Ihren Gewinn einfordern können.
 
Sie müssen die Bank direkt über ihre Bankverbindung kontaktieren.
 
=============================================
Kontakt: National Westminster Bank Plc:
Adresse:#135 Bishopsgate London EC2M 3UR
Code :2021-HK78 / 890.74
Kontaktperson: Mr. Patrick Flynn.
EMAIL: remittancedept@postnatwest.com
 
=============================================
Zur Bearbeitung und Bestätigung Ihres Gewinns füllen Sie bitte das untenstehende Formular aus und reichen es bei der auszahlenden Bank ein: National Westminster Bank Plc, Zahlungszentrum  von E-MAIL: remittancedept@postnatwest.com
==================================================
{DIE NATIONALE LOTTERIE GEWINNER ANMELDEFORMULAR FÜR DIE ZAHLUNG}.
**************************************************
VORNAME...............
NACHNAME...............
GEBURTSDATUM .............
FAMILIENSTAND ...........
GESCHLECHT................
ADRESSE..............
NATIONALITÄT.............
BERUF............
TELEFONNUMMER ............
GEWINNSUMME ............
************************
REFERENZNUMMER, 835081758
************************
GEWINNNUMMER: 2828389499
************************
ZUR ZAHLUNG FREIGEGEBEN
==================================================
Wir bitten um Ihre sofortige Antwort.
 
Unterzeichnet,
Dipl.-Ing. Dr.-Ing. E.h.,Friedrich
Ingelmann Geschäftsführung:
Hans-Peter Thomas
Vorsitzender)
David Karl

Copyright © 2022 UK. Nationale Lotterie. Alle Rechte vorbehalten. Bedingungen und Konditionen Hilfe Hinweis: Auf diesen Seiten sammeln wir persönliche Informationen. Für weitere Einzelheiten lesen Sie bitte unsere Datenschutzrichtlinie

Another example of an email from "National UK Lottery" email scam:

Text presented within:

The National Lottery, PO Box 251, Watford WD18 9BR,
United Kingdom

Attention: Beneficiary.

Welcome to the 2024 World Bank/Paris Club & British CFP Global Financial SET-UP. The Camelot National Lottery Group has noted the wide spread of fraud activities that are being committed by charlatans & impostures within the United Kingdom, Africa & the World in general. Because of this reason, the World Bank/Paris Club & British CFP in collaboration with the Camelot National Lottery has set up a welfare program to compensate all those that have fallen victims and lost their money in transactions of this nature within the UK, Africa & World wide. You have been approved to receive a compensation fund of £ 500,000.00 British Pound as one of the scam victims who qualified for 2024 annual program, your reference number are: XVX189298, send your details as stated below to following email address: stevcampbell01@yandex.com

An arrangement has been made to pay your funds through (ATM Credit Card or bank transfer) to enable you receive your compensation fund without any interference.

1) Full Name:
2) Physical Address:
3) Mobile Number:
4)  Your reference number:
 5) Occupation:                                                          
6) Age:

Best Regards                                                
Mr.  James Adams                        
Gambling Commission Chief Executive

Instant automatic malware removal:

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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?

Scammers send out mass emails, identical to thousands of others, in hopes of tricking someone into taking the bait. These emails are not personalized and are sent out in bulk.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

Contact the corresponding authorities and monitor your accounts closely for any signs of unauthorized activity. In addition, consider changing any compromised passwords and enabling extra security measures.

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

The possibility of infection depends on the type of malicious file you downloaded and opened. Some file types, like executable files (.exe), are more likely to contain malware that can infect your system, while others, like documents or images, may pose less of a threat.

I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in such email, can I get my money back?

No, cryptocurrency transactions are typically irreversible, so it is unlikely to retrieve your funds once they have been sent.

I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?

Merely opening an email poses no threat. However, clicking on links or opening attachments can result in system infections.

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Combo Cleaner effectively detects and removes most known malware. Advanced malware may hide deeply within the system, necessitating a full system scan for comprehensive removal.