Do not trust UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION COVID ASSISTED PROGRAM emails

What is the "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" scam email?

"UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" refers to a spam campaign, a large-scale operation during which deceptive emails are sent by the thousand. This spam campaign targets users from the United States and the United Kingdom.

The scam messages claim that recipients are eligible to receive a payment from the United Nations/COVID-19 relief program.

This spam mail operates as a phishing scam. I.e., its goal is to extract sensitive/personal information from the recipients. It is likely that users can experience severe privacy issues and other serious problems by trusting these emails.

More about "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" scam

The "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" scam emails claim that the recipients have been selected as beneficiaries of the "UN/COVID19 Awarded Payment" program.

The messages state that bank to bank transfers, ATM card, bank draft, and check payments have been suspended due to security concerns raised by the US Homeland Security, FBI, IMF, and other related entities.

Therefore, the email recipients will have their payments sent to them via a package containing a gold box valued at US$5.5 million (USD). The emails ask to reconfirm specific details to have the parcel sent.

The requested information consists of recipients' names and surnames, occupations, phone numbers, current addresses, and nearest airports. How the information obtained through phishing scams is used varies.

The data might be sold to third-parties (potentially, cyber criminals) and/or employed to further other scams. For example, scam models similar to "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" often ask victims to make certain payments to receive the promised item (e.g., a gold box in the case of the spam campaign in question).

The bogus payments may be disguised as bank transfers, shipping, storage, and other fees, however, there is no truth in the claims made by such schemes.

Therefore, trusting "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" or other similar scams can lead to serious privacy issues, financial losses, system infections, and identity theft.

Similar scams

"Double Your BTC", "MOBI GRAND TELECOM Lottery", "Webmail Email Scam", "Fund Release" are some examples of other spam campaigns.

The emails distributed through these operations are usually presented as "official", "urgent", "important", etc. The messages may even be disguised as mail from legitimate institutions, authorities, organizations, companies, service providers, and other entities.

Regardless of what the scam emails promise, offer, request, or demand, the purpose is the same: to generate profit for the scammers/cyber criminals behind them.

Due to the prevalence of spam mail, exercise caution with incoming emails.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Spam campaigns infect systems through virulent files distributed via email. Deceptive emails can have infectious files attached to them. Alternatively, the messages can contain download links to the files.

The malicious files can be in various formats, e.g., Microsoft Office and PDF documents, archives (ZIP, RAR, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), JavaScript, and so on. When the files are executed, run, or otherwise opened, malware (trojan, ransomware, etc.) download/installation is triggered.

For example, Microsoft Office documents infect systems by executing malicious macro commands. In Microsoft Office versions released before 2010, this process starts when a document is opened.

Newer versions have "Protected View" mode that prevents automatic execution of macros: users are asked to enable editing/content (i.e., macro commands) and warned of potential threats.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Do not trust irrelevant emails that have files attached (or contain website links) and are received from unknown, suspicious addresses. Software should not be downloaded or installed through third party downloaders, installers, unofficial pages or other similar sources/tools.

Use only official websites and direct links. Installed software should never be updated or activated with third party, unofficial tools, since they can install malware. Furthermore, it is illegal to use third party tools to activate licensed software.

The only legitimate way to update and activate software is to use tools and functions that are provided by the official developers. Regularly scan your computer with reputable antivirus or anti-spyware software and keep this software up to date.

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 "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" email message:

UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION&COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM) DIRECTORATE OF INTERNATIONAL PAYMENT.
United Nations Assisted Program - UK
3 Whitehall Court
London-SW1A 2EL.

 

I am Mrs Hellen Steward, the newly appointed director General in charge of approving & releasing all owed yet unpaid foreign payments and also the special adviser to the United-Nation.  You have been selected through our computer ballot Your Consignment registration #:CT8100AFUK.

 

I am delighted to inform you that the contract/Inheritance panel of the UN/COVID19 Awarded Payment, which just concluded it’s seating in London just released your (E-mail Id & Name) among the currently approved beneficiaries who are to benefit 100% from this very diplomatic 2nd quarter payment of the year. This panel was primarily delegated to investigate  all genuinely owed debts and claims as it has been over due.

 

This package in a Golden metal box valued $5.5Million US (Five million Five hundred thousand Us Dollars)has arrived Dulles International Airport Washington Dc from Heath-row airport London Through Diplomatic sealed.

 

At this moment, I wish to use this medium of communication to inform you that for the time being the (UN) has completely stopped further payment through bank to bank transfer, ATM Card, Bank Draft or Check Payment due to numerous petitions received from the united states home-land security, the FBI, IMF and other financial and security agencies to UK Government against our banks on wrong payment and diversion of innocent beneficiaries owed funds to a different account,the diplomat agent already arrive in the united state with your consignment box conveying the amount to be delivered to you.

 

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: ...............

 

Contact the Delivery  agent

 

Info below to speed up your Delivery Today.
Dulles International Airport Washington dc
Address: 1 Saarinen Cir, Dulles, VA 20166, USA.
Email:(westernpromo123@gmail.com)
Direct Telephone: +1 2705514544
Delivery Man Mr Johnson Nugent

 

Respectfully Yours in-service,
Mrs Hellen Steward.
United Nation Compensation Assisted Program Chief Executive On payment matters.

Appearance of the "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" scam email (GIF):

Another example of United Nations COVID compensations-themed spam email:

Text presented within:

Subject: United Nation Covid-19 Relief Fund

Attention!!

From The Office of Secretary General
United Nations Organization.

Following the outbreak and spread of the Corona-virus(Covid-19) Pandemic Globally,  
Your Email - has been chosen for the covid-19 Compensation Funds

Contact Dr. Mustafa Ali, for more information by email at:( officialdrmustafaali@gmail.com ) Your consent in this regard would be highly appreciated.

Best Regards,
Mr. Jimmy Moore.
Undersecretary-General United Nations
Office of Internal Oversight-UNIOS
UN making the world a better place
hxxp://www.un.org/sg/

Another example of Covid-19 compensation-themed scam email:

Text presented within:

Subject: Congratulation

Attn:
 Congratulation, the payment of your $2million USD has been resolved, This is a Compensation under the IFC Covid Global Development Funding Program your email address was selected for Compensation and we do not ask for any form of claim to get your money ($2,000,000 ATM CARD or CHEQUE).
 
For proper Documentation, you have to send us your valid information's.
 
1. FULL NAME
2. ADDRESS
3. PHONE/FAX NUMBER:
 
The Minute we receive these information from you, we will start up with the immediate processing of your ATM CARD or cheque, your parcel will sent to you within 48hrs of Banking operation.
 
Do have a nice day.
 
Regards.
Dr.James Ode Watts.

Another example of an email from "UNITED NATIONS COMPENSATION (COVID19 ASSISTED PROGRAM)" spam campaign:

Text presented within:

Subject: If you have received your €1,500,000.0 for a coronavirus donation, send us an email now

 

Attention: Beneficiary,

The United Nations is awarding a cash donation prize of €1,500,000.00 for the Convid19 relief package to 80 lucky individuals and 10 charities from all parts of the world. Send your answer by email. This is the second time that we notify you of the statue of your compensation fund of €1,500,000.00 (one million five hundred thousand euros). Be informed that we have been authorized by the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) to release your compensation funds of €1,500,000.00 to you via bank transfer. The United Nations is doing this to alleviate the damage caused by coronavirus and also help those who have been previously deceived. Therefore, contact our Director of Foreign Remittances Department, MR António Guterres, and ask him to provide you with the details of how to obtain your money. For your claim, please refer to the information below Contact information: António Guterres To confirm, EMAIL: azimhasi23@gmail.com Remember to provide him with your complete information as required below so that he can locate your payment file and take care of you promptly

1.full name:

2. Address:

3. Age:

4. Profession:

5. Phone/WhatsApp number

6. Country:

 NOTE: Since the amount payable to you is (€1,500,000.00), we await your urgent response to this email so that we can monitor the transaction effectively. Wish you Best regards MR. António GuterresAttention: Beneficiary,

The United Nations is awarding a cash donation prize of €1,500,000.00 for the Convid19 relief package to 80 lucky individuals and 10 charities from all parts of the world. Send your answer by email. This is the second time that we notify you of the statue of your compensation fund of €1,500,000.00 (one million five hundred thousand euros). Be informed that we have been authorized by the United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) to release your compensation funds of €1,500,000.00 to you via bank transfer. The United Nations is doing this to alleviate the damage caused by coronavirus and also help those who have been previously deceived. Therefore, contact our Director of Foreign Remittances Department, MR António Guterres, and ask him to provide you with the details of how to obtain your money. For your claim, please refer to the information below Contact information: António Guterres To confirm, EMAIL: azimhasi23@gmail.com Remember to provide him with your complete information as required below so that he can locate your payment file and take care of you promptly

1.full name:

2. Address:

3. Age:

4. Profession:

5. Phone/WhatsApp number

6. Country:

 NOTE: Since the amount payable to you is (€1,500,000.00), we await your urgent response to this email so that we can monitor the transaction effectively. Wish you Best regards MR. António Guterres

Screenshot of a phishing-type PDF document distributed via scam emails:

Text presented within:

Compensation Fund

WORKING FOR YOU

Good Day
The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC)
UK 3 Whitehall Court, London, SW1A 2EL
hxxps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_Nations_Compensation_Commission
The united nation Compensation fund reward which was awarded to empower people all over
the globe due to outbreak of Convid19 which affected the world . We have finally arranged to
issue your compensation fund worth $500.000 into ATM CARD Via HSBC BANK ATM
SECTOR, The United Nations Compensation Commission (UNCC) was created in 1991 as a
subsidiary ... London Declaration (1941); Atlantic Charter (1941); Declaration by United
Nations (1942); Moscow Conference ... Ralph Bunche Park · Sustainable Development Goals
· United Nations
Be aware that every necessary arrangement has been made successfully with the HSBC BANK
ATM SECTOR.and Quote your claim number UN/042/2021.
Email your details to Claim Offic(awardclaimoffice@aol.com) or
Contact Person: John c Henry
FULL NAME:...................
DELIVERY ADDRESS:....................
PHONE NUMBER:....................
COUNTRY:......................
OCCUPATION:AND POSITION..........
SEX:..........
AGE...............Sincerely,
Yours Truly
Steven J. Sordello
Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice President

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:

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"

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?

This email is part of a widespread campaign where scammers send identical messages to thousands, hoping for unsuspecting recipients to fall for it. These spam emails lack personalization.

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

If you disclosed account credentials, change all passwords immediately. For other personal information (such as credit card details or ID card information), contact relevant authorities promptly.

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

If the file was an executable, there is a high likelihood of infection. However, opening document files like PDFs or Docs might not necessarily result in a system infection.

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

No, merely opening the email is harmless. Infections occur when clicking links or opening attached files.

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

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate almost all known malware infections. However, for thorough removal, a full system scan is recommended, as high-end malware may hide deep within the system.