How to spot scam campaigns like "Scam Victim Compensation Funds"

What kind of email is "Scam Victim Compensation Funds"?

We have analyzed this email and found that it was sent by fraudsters who seek to extract money and (or) sensitive information. Scammers aim to convince recipients who have been scammed in the past that they can receive compensation of three million British pounds. It is a scam email that should be marked as spam and deleted.

More about the "Scam Victim Compensation Funds" scam email

This scam email claims that the the new UK government has decided to pay compensation to all victims of various scams. Each victim can receive three million British pounds. The email says that only 150 victims will get compensation, and 114 beneficiaries have already been paid to lure recipients into taking immediate action.

In order to claim their compensation, recipients are supposed to contact the "approved private officer" via one of the provided email addresses. After contacting scammers behind this email, recipients will most likely be asked to provide sensitive information (e.g., credit card details) or pay some "administration" (or other) fee.

Emails promising a significant share of a large sum of money (in this case, three million British pounds) should always be ignored. People who fall for such scams (pay money to scammers) get nothing in return.

Similar scam emails in general

These emails usually are disguised as important/official/urgent letters from legitimate companies, organizations, or other entities. They often include logos of real companies, names of existing people, etc. Scammers use these emails to extract money or sensitive information.

Examples of similar scams are "BRITISH CAMELOT ONLINE LOTTERY Email Scam", "Coordination Of Humanitarian Affairs Email Scam", and "Funding Commitments To Fight COVID-19 Email Scam". Crooks use emails not only to extract money or information but also to trick recipients into infecting computers with malware.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Recipients infect computers via emails by opening malicious links or attachments. Computers do not always become infected right after opening malicious files. For instance, malicious MS Office documents cannot infect computers until macros commands (editing or content) are enabled.

It is important to mention that MS Office versions released before 2010 do not include the Protected View feature. Thus, malicious documents opened with older versions infect computers after they are opened.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Do not open attachments and links in suspicious emails (e.g., irrelevant emails from unknown addresses). Remember that cybercriminals often use emails to deliver malware. They pretend to be legitimate companies, organizations, other entities, or well-known people.

Download software from official pages and stores. Avoid downloads from other sources. Do not click on suspicious links or advertisements appearing on shady websites. Keep the operating system and installed programs updated. Do not use third-party tools to update or activate any software.

If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Appearance of the "Scam Victim Compensation Funds" scam email (GIF):

Text presented in the "Scam Victim Compensation Funds" email letter:

Subject: REF/PAYMENTS CODE: U.N/110468 3 MILLIONS BRITISH POUNDS.

Dear Beneficiary

WISHING YOU A HAPPY XMAS IN ADVANCE.

This is to officially bring to your notice that the New government of UK London have decided to compensate all the scam victims with 3 millions british pound each (THREE MILLIONS BRITISH POUNDS ONLY) You are listed and approved for this payment as one of the scammed victims and to be paid this amount, get back to me as soon as possible for the immediate payments of your 3 MILLION BRITISH POUNDS compensations funds.

On these faithful recommendations, we want you to know that during the last U.N meetings held IN AFRICA, it was alarmed so much by the world in the meetings on the loss of funds by various individuals to the scams artists operating in syndicates all over the world today. In order to compensate scams victims, the Africans Body in
conjunction with the U.N Government is now paying a total 150 victims of this operator 3 millions british pounds each in accordance with the U.N.recommendations.

Due to the corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems, your payments are be supervised by the United Nations Officials and the CORIS BANK and Finance International Bank as the corresponding paying office, According to the number of
applicants at hand, 114 Beneficiaries have already been paid, half of the victims are from the United States,and India. We still have more 36 victims left to be paid ther (THREE MILLIONS BRITISH POUNDS) compensations funds.

For the claiming of your compensation 3 millions british pounds through the credited MASTER CARD and pin code,kindly feel free to contact our approved private officer from U.N  Name: Madam Mrs. Jenn Germany Email:
(jennifergermany03@gmail.com) She will instruct what you will do in order to successfully transfer your compensation amount to you.

You will receive your Compensation amount through a loaded master card payment or through Coris trust credit online bank. This is the two paying options approved by the UK LONDON Government; you will be detailed with modalities as soon as you contact the assigned approved U.N Delegate officer of the U.N and Finance International Bank.

Finally you are free to decide how you would like your compensation of 3 millions british pounds funds to be paid to you as soon as possible.

Sincerely Yours
Mrs Elizbeth Borrison

Contact My Private email address here (nuixeia@gmail.com) should you have any questions.

Other examples of emails from "Scam Victim Compensation Funds" spam campaign:

Sample 1:

Text presented within:

Subject: HELLO DEAR SCAMS VICTIM.
 

Hello Dear Beneficiary Fund

Good Day to you and how are you doing today hope fine? For your notice the New government of UK London has decided to compensate every scam victim with a sum of 3 millions British pounds each. You are listed among scam victims and approved for this payment.

Based on these faithful recommendations, note that during the last U.N meetings held IN AFRICA and UK London, it was alarmed by the world in the meetings on the loss of funds by various individuals to the scams artists operating in syndicates all over the world today, most especially african. In order to compensate scams victims, the Africans Bodies in conjunction with the U.K Government now paying a total 150 victims of this operator 3 millions british pounds each in accordance with the UK recommendations.

Due to corrupt and inefficient Banking Systems, your payments are supervised by the United Nations Officials , CORIS and Finance International Bank as the corresponding paying office, According to the number of applicants at hand, 114 Beneficiaries have already been paid, half of the victims are from the United States,and Indians. We still have more 36 victims left unpaid their (THREE MILLIONS BRITISH POUNDS) compensations funds.

For the claiming of your compensation 3 millions british pounds kindly feel free to contact our approved private payment officer Name: Madam Mrs. Jenn Germany Email: (jennifergermany03@gmail.com) She will instruct what you will do in order to successfully receive your compensation amount immediately.

Contact the assigned private payment officer as soon as possible for the immediate payments of your 3 MILLION BRITISH POUNDS compensations funds. she only will instruct you on how your funds will be transferred to you.

Sincerely Yours

Mrs Elizbeth Borrison

Contact My Private email address here (nuixeia@gmail.com) should you have any questions.

Sample 2:

Text presented within:

Subject: Urgent and important note:

 

Good Day, Congratulations, good news for you.

We the World Bank Group Liaison office in Burkina Faso-Ouagadougou BF wishes to bring to your attention base on the instruction by the Economic Community of West African States (ECO-WAS) and African Union including the world bank Group Geneva office in Switzerland, I wishes to inform you that you have been compensated with cash reward valued of {$5MILLIOMS} because your file was passed to our office you are among the victim of fraud and scam in Africa.

Your total compensation fund {$5 MILLIONS} cash reward will be paid through our registered government approved noble esteem online banking  which is also legally approved by world bank Group Geneva office in Switzerland.  So therefore kindly submit below required information for the immediate opening of an online bank account in your name with coris trust financial bank here in burkina faso.

1. Full Name:.........
2. Country:........
3. Delivery Address:..........
4. Telephone:..............& Occupation.......
5. Your Date Of Birth...... /Sex..........

NOTE:  Once you corporate and forward your informations i shall submit them to coris Trust bank head office in Burkina Faso-Ouagadougou For immediate payment of your approved CASH REWARD via online bank transfer without further delay,  and note any other contact you made outside this office is at your own risk.

Kindly urgently reply to me back with your personal information as listed to enable me submit them to the online banking department coris trust international for processing of your payment via online banking.

Thanks
Yours in service
Mrs elizabeth Borrison

Sample 3:

Text presented within:

Subject: Good news

 

Dear Beneficiary,
Your name is among the top 10 scammed victims listed by IMF/UNITED NATIONS FUND RECOVERY to be compensated with the sum of  $2.5 million Unites States of American Dollars ($2,500,000 USD).you are advised  to send the following details below for immediate release of your compensation ($2,500,000 USD) through Swift Transfer(T&T) or through ATM DEBIT CARD by any courier service company convenient to you.
 
1. Full Name:
2. Home / Office Address:
3. Direct Phone Number:
4. Country:
5 sex and Age:
6 Occupation:
 
Regards
.James Ode Watts

Sample 4:

Text presented within:

Subject: Hello

 

Asset Recovery Inter-Agency Network of Southern Africa (ARINSA)

1059 Francis Baard Street,

-
-

Distribution of Forfeited and recovered Funds to Compensate Victims of Fraud Scheme
Approval of your delayed transfer (funds recovered), the SOUTH AFRICAN RESERVE BANK, BANK OF AMERICA, UNITED NATIONS, UK Lottery  and department of justice, has settled to release your funds, which you long struggled to retrieve due to irregularities from corrupt officials in various units.

We as an organization have been instructed by the above institutions to help you in receiving your funds; from the above websites you would understand that we are fund recovery agents. At this stage you are required to immediately stop every communication with any other people that promised to help you in order to make our job (the release of your funds very simple and easier). This remains the only true means to redeem you benefits/funds

You should send us your full name, address and phone number. The release of your fund is very simple; ensure you give us your full cooperation.

Yours faithfully

Mr. Elder Isa.

Sample 5:

Text presented within:

Subject: Congratulations! Your payment Reference: UN/22/CH980221

Dear Beneficiary

We are happy to announce to you that you have been shortlisted among other beneficiaries by the United Nations Compensation Commission [ UNCC ] as one of the fraud victims to be compensated for the losses caused by internet scammers.

Your compensation payment is valued at USD 2.1M [ Two Million One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars]

Your payment Reference: UN/22/CH980221

To proceed with the disbursement process of your compensation payment, you are required to submit to us the following personal details directly to Dr. Jeffery Wilson via [consult.pharmaltd@gmail.com].

Full Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Contact Address:
Telephone number:
Marital status:

Treat as urgent.

Jeffery Wilson
For
UNCC.
Tooting SW17 0QT,London-United Kingdom
Telephone/Whatsapp number: +447404548214

Sample 6:

Text presented within:

Subject: United Nations Funds Investigation Unit.

 

This Email/Letter is been directed to you because your email address and country name was found in one of the scammer Artists file and computer hard-disk while the investigation, maybe you have been scammed. You are therefore being compensated with the sum of US$350,000 (US$) (Three Hundred and Fifty Thousand United States Dollars).

We have arranged your payment to be paid to you directly to your bank account in your country or via a check. To receive the above fund, you are therefore advised to contact the PNC Bank, USA officer who will transfer the fund to your bank account from Reserve Bank. We have advised the Bank Agent to open a private email address with a new number as to enable us to monitor this payment and the transfer communications to avoid further delay or misdirection of your fund.

Kindly contact the PNC Bank officer now
with the below
contact details:

Contact: Mr P. Jacob
Chief Operations Officer
Contact Email: fedheadquarters@europe.com

Please send all replies to

Contact him now and forward the below details to him:

1. Your Full Name:
2. Your Age:
3. Occupation:
4. Cell/Mobile Number:

Yours in Service.
MR. WILSON STEWART.
United Nations Funds Investigation Unit.

Sample 7:

Text presented within:

Subject: Re: YOUR FUND IS NOW RELEASED..FINAL NOTICE

Werkstrasse 104
Chandolin-près-savièse
Zip-1965
Switzerland
(+41) 027 785 36 38

Reply-To: compensationsettlementcentre@hotmail.com

Dear Beneficiary,

LETTER OF COMPENSATION.

This is the COMPENSATION SETTLEMENT CENTRE. We write to inform you that the United Nations [UN] is compensating all the scammed victims with the sum of $20,000,000.00 (Twenty Million US Dollars). Your email address is of the victims on the list of scammed persons and people.

Your funds has been released and now deposited with the designated paying bank. To claim your funds kindly send the following details to match with your email address on our record. Furthermore we advise that you stop any further communication or dealings with the so called offices and persons claiming to be with your funds as
it is now confirmed that they are either fake or not authorized on this matter. So you must desist from them with immediate effect.

Once again you should send the following details:

 1. Full Name(s):
 2. Address:
 3. Occupation:
 4. Age:
 5. Male/Female:
 6. Origin Country:
 7. Residing Country
 8. Mobile No:

Kindly reply to this notification immediately.

Yours Faithfully,

Josh Greene
Publicity Secretary
Compensation Settlement Centre
E-mail: compensationsettlementcentre@hotmail.com

Sample 8:

Text presented within:

Subject: READD FROM EU

INSTRUCTION TO CREDIT US$25,000,000.00 INTO YOUR BANK ACCOUNT.

This is to officially notify you that your name was shortlisted under the World Bank scam victim's rehabilitation scheme and you have been listed and approved to receive payment of USD $25,000,000.00 As one of the scammed victim's compensation funds. with the European Commission of London United Kingdom/ Affiliated to World bank has directed to credit your bank account in your country, it is the only European Commission that have been instructed to transfer your fund to your Bank account.

European Commission of London United Kingdom/Affiliated to World Bank has made all arrangement on how to transfer your fund but now our problem here is one Mrs. Susan Murphy came to  our office to let us know that you are Dead and before your Death, that you instructed her to come for the Claim of your fund in the US$25,000,000.00  of (Twenty-Five Million United State Dollars Only) compensation that was Shortlisted with your name in European Commission of London United Kingdom Affiliated to World bank under the World Bank Scam Victims Rehabilitation Scheme as One of the Scammed Victims Compensation Fund.

i) Did you Authorize Susan Murphy to come for your Fund Claim?
ii)Are you Truly Aware of this?
iii)Below is the Account Details she brought to our Bank.

Mrs. Susan Murphy
Chatham, Ontario, Canada
Bank Name/Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Account Number/1809126
Routing Number:001000279
Swift Code: CIBCCATTXXX

Kindly Respond Back once you receive this email Message before we will transfer the fund to Her Account and if you know you did not authorize anyone.

Therefore, be strictly advised to re-confirm to us your banking information below to enable us cross check and ensure you are the rightful beneficiary and the fund will be transfer to you after verification process.

A)Your Full Name:
B)Full Address:
C)Telephone Number:
D)Sex and Age:
E)Nature of Work (Occupation)
F)A copy of passport:
J)Bank name:
H)Account Number:
I)Swift Code:

We await your urgent response.

Yours Faithfully
Ms. Ursula von der Leyen
President of the European Commission

Sample 9:

Text presented within:

Subject: Re:REPLY

Dear Sir,

We are an international refund structure. We are writing to
inform you that our software has set up a detection system for
all people who have been victims of internet scams.

As a result, we have detected that you are one of the victims of
a scam, which is why we are contacting you to pass on the
information so that we can reimburse you for all the money you
have lost, as well as compensating you.

If you really are one of the people who has been scammed, please
contact us so that we can check what you've lost and then we'll
refund you.

NB: the refund structure offers this refund free of charge to
victims of scams without paying us a penny.

Yours sincerely

Mrs.Niva Shabbat
OLAF Anti Fraud
European Commission
Rue Joseph II 30 1000 Brussels Belgium

Sample 10:

Text presented within:

Subject: Compensation for Victims of Online Scams

 

Veritex Community Bank
4300 NORTH BELT LINE
ROAD IRVING, Texas USA

Hello Dear,

I hope this letter finds you well. I am writing on behalf of the United States Treasury and World Bank Directorate in collaboration with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). We are deeply concerned about the increasing number of individuals who have fallen victim to online scams. As part of our ongoing efforts to combat this issue and support affected individuals, we are implementing a compensation program.

The main objective of this program is to provide financial restitution to those who have suffered financial losses as a result of online scams. We understand the devastating impact such scams can have on an individual's financial stability and overall well-being. It is our sincere commitment to assist victims in regaining their financial footing.

To ensure the timely and accurate distribution of compensation, we kindly request affected individuals to come forward and provide necessary details for the completion of the process. We understand that this may require sensitive information, and I assure you that all data provided will be handled with the utmost confidentiality and in compliance with data protection regulations.

 For your convenience, please find below the required information:
1. Full Name:
2. Residential Address:
3. Age:
4. Occupation:
5. Phone Number:
6. Next of Kin (Name and Relationship):

Your prompt response in furnishing the above details will enable us to expedite the compensation process and ensure that deserving individuals receive the support they need as soon as possible. We understand the urgency of this matter and are committed to providing a seamless experience for all participants.

To facilitate the verification process, victims may be required to provide supporting documentation, such as scam-related emails or receipts, if available. This will aid in confirming the authenticity of the claims and expediting the compensation disbursement.

We sincerely believe that this compensation program will assist in mitigating the financial hardships caused by online scams. By taking collective action, we can work towards a safer online environment for individuals and businesses alike.

Should you require any further information or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are here to assist you throughout this process.

Thank you for your cooperation and dedication to addressing this critical issue. Together, we can make a difference in the lives of those affected by online scams.

Thank you for choosing Valley Bank

Best Regards,
Mr. Malcolm Holland
Veritex Community Bank

Sample 11:

Text presented within:

Subject: COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF $2.1 million Dollars

International Monetary Fund
700 19th Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20431

Attention

COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF $2.1 million Dollars

Be informed that an approval was granted for the release of?COMPENSATION PAYMENT OF $2.1 million for scam victims, the payment will be release to you through ATM CARD, Bank Draft and Bank transfer per your instructions,

Please re-confirm to me the following details below to enable us forward your details to our paying bank, for immediate communications with you .

Application Process:

(a) Name

(b) Residential address

(c) Direct telephone number

(d) Your means of Identification or passport

(e) Name, address, telephone and ID card of Next of Kin

(f) This procedure is confidential and only for the applicant/beneficiary.

This payment must be concluded within 7 working days and you are advised to take this opportunity to avoid cancellation.

Kindly note that you are to take care of of the Fees for delivery to your given address

for the delivery agency we use .

Dr Camilla Gutt ,
Finance Disbursement Unit
Director.

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

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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 is a non-targeted email. All recipients received the same email.

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

If you have provided any login information, change your passwords as soon as possible (especially if you use one password for two or more accounts). If you have sent your credit card details, ID card information, or other details to scammers, contact the corresponding authorities as soon as possible.

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

If you have opened an executable file, your computer is probably already infected. Malicious MS Office documents, archives, and other files usually cannot infect computers until users take additional steps (e.g., enable macros commands in malicious documents, extract malicious files from archive files and then open them, etc.).

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

It is safe to open emails even when they have malicious files attached to them (or include malicious links).

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

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove almost all known malware. Usually, high-end malware hides deep in the operating system. Therefore, it is required to run a full system scan to remove malware of this kind.