Banco Millennium BCP Email Scam

What is Banco Millennium BCP email scam?

In most cases, scammers/cyber criminals behind phishing emails such as this one attempt to trick recipients into providing their login credentials, credit card details, and other sensitive information. They usually disguise their emails as official, important messages from legitimate companies.

This particular phishing email is disguised as a message from Portuguese Commercial Bank. Therefore, scammers behind it target people who use services of this particular bank.

Banco Millennium BCP phishing scam

The main purpose of this phishing email is to trick recipients into believing that their banking accounts are blocked due security reasons, and the only way to recover access to them is to update and/or authorize their banking credentials, or pay a fine of 455 Euros.

Recipients are instructed to update and/or authorize their banking credentials via the provided website link and the "Realizar atualizacao Millennium BCP" button. The genuine Portuguese Commercial Bank (BCP) has nothing to do with this email. The website provided in the message is fake and used to steal banking credentials.

Recipients who provide any details on the bogus web page could lose access to their bank accounts, suffer monetary loss, and experience other issues.

Threat Summary:
Name	Banco Millennium BCP Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Recipient's BCP bank account is blocked
Disguise	Email from Portuguese Commercial Bank
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.

Other email phishing examples are "Google Forms Email Scam", "Mail - Quarantined Email Scam" and "Banco Montepio Email Scam".

Note that scammers/cyber criminals often use emails to trick recipients, not only into providing sensitive information, but also into making money transactions or even installing malware (e.g., ransomware, Trojan-type malware) onto their computers.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Malware (including ransomware) is usually distributed via malspam campaigns, unofficial software activation ('cracking') tools, Trojans, dubious file/software download sources, and fake software updating tools.

When cyber criminals attempt to distribute malware via malspam campaigns, they send emails that contain malicious attachments or download links for malicious files. Typically, they disguise their emails as official and important. If recipients open the attached file (or a file downloaded via a website link), they cause installation of malicious software.

Cyber criminals commonly attach executable files (.exe), archive files such as RAR, ZIP, PDF documents, JavaScript files and Microsoft Office documents to their emails. Software 'cracking' tools supposedly activate licensed software illegally (bypass activation), however, they often install malicious programs and do not activate any legitimate installed software.

Trojans are other rogue programs that can cause chain infections. I.e., when a Trojan is installed on the operating system, it can install additional malware.

Free file hosting websites, freeware download websites, Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., torrent clients, eMule), unofficial websites, and third party downloaders are examples of other sources that are used to distribute malware. Cyber criminals disguise malicious files as legitimate and regular. When users download and open them, they inadvertently infect their computers with malware.

Fake software updating tools install malicious software rather than updates/fixes for installed programs, or they exploit bugs/flaws of outdated software that is installed on the operating system.

How to avoid installation of malware

You are advised to download files and programs from official websites and via direct download links. Other tools and sources such as third party downloaders and installers, unofficial pages, and Peer-to-Peer networks (e.g., eMule, torrent clients) should not be used to download or install software.

Check all "Custom", "Advanced" and other similar settings (or available checkboxes) for offers to download and/or install unwanted apps. Do not click ads on dubious websites, since they can be designed to open bogus web pages or cause unwanted downloads and installations.

Remove any unwanted, suspicious extensions, plug-ins and add-ons installed on the browser, and software of this kind from the operating system.

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 Banco Millennium BCP phishing email:

Subject: BANCO Millennium BCP - Aviso de Seguranca Codigo Utilizador desativado, ative agora multa 455 EUR. - ( 73730987361 )

Banco Millennium BCP.

Estimado cliente Banco Millennium BCP:

Nosso sistema de monitoramento em tempo real, detectou que suas credenciais de seguranca juntamente com seu Telemovel encontram-se Bloqueados.

Por este motivo, para evitar problemas e manter seus dados seguros, estamos prestes a bloquear de forma parcial ou total o acesso a nossos servicos.

Para evitar a suspencao de todos os nossos servicos, voce devera realizar o procedimento de atualizacao e/ou autorizacao de suas credenciais, e seu Telemovel ou pagar multa de valor 455,00 EUR.
Utilize o botao abaixo para realizar o processo de forma segura e totalmente online.

Realizar atualizacao Millennium BCP.
Este processo e importante para o bom andamento e funcionamento do seus dados sensiveis.
Caso, o processo nao seja realizado, sua conta e seus dados podem ser bloqueados em nosso sistema automatizado e cobranca de multa.

Banco Millennium BCP ©
Todos os direitos reservados. Sistema Online de Notificacoes.

Another example of Banco Millennium BCP spam email:

Banco Millennium BCP spam email (2021-02-18)

Text presented within:

Subject: Comprovativo de operação - ********

COMPROVATIVO DE OPERAÇÃO MILLENNIUMBCP.PT

Histórico de Operações | Transferências Nacionais

O V. pedido de operação com as características abaixo indicadas encontra-se registado no nosso sistema.
Número: 760781439 - SOAZILOPE FAT.4726 5418
Estado:
Efetuado
Data/Hora: 16/02/2021 / 13:58:33
Valor:870,88 EUR
Visualizar Comprovativo

Para informação adicional sobre esta operação deverá clicar em "Visualizar Comprovativo" ou contactar a Linha de Apoio
ao Utilizador -707 504 504- disponível nos dias úteis das 08 horas às 02 horas e nos dias não úteis das 10 horas às
24 horas,hora de Portugal Continental.Se estiver no estrangeiro ligue +351 210 04 24 24.

BANCO COMERCIAL PORTUGUÊS, S.A, Sociedade Aberta, com sede na Praça D. João I, 28, Porto

Yet another example of Banco Millennium BCP-themed spam email promoting a phishing website:

Banco Millennium BCP spam email (2021-04-20)

Text presented within:

Subject: MILLENNIUM BCP ALERTA - ******** , Utilizador desactivado evite multa reactive agora ID: 27348.

Millennium Logo
Actualize seus dados CLIENTE: ********

Precisamos que você confirme algumas informações, para ficar por dentro das novidades e deixar sua conta mais segura.

Veja como é simples:
1 Aceder nosso site clicando aqui.
2 Siga as instruções.
3 Fique seguro!

Segurança é essencial, quando precisar alterar seus dados pessoais, faça somente pelo nosso sistema.

Central de Atendimento Millennium

Duvidas? Saiba mais na nossa Central de Ajuda.

SAC
Atendimento 24 horas, todos os dias

Ouvidoria
Dias úteis das 10h às 12h e 13h às 15h
Facebook do Millennium Twitter do Millennium Instagram do Millennium

O millenniumbcp.pt é um serviço do Banco Comercial Português S.A.

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:

DOWNLOAD Combo Cleaner

By downloading any software listed on this website you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. 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.

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.