How to avoid falling for fake emails like "You Have Been Under Surveillance"

What kind of scam is "You Have Been Under Surveillance"?

Upon thorough examination, we have determined that this email embodies the characteristics of a classic sextortion scam. These scams typically involve cybercriminals threatening to expose sensitive or compromising information about the recipient unless a ransom is paid. Recipients should disregard such fraudulent attempts and refrain from responding or engaging with scammers.

More about the "You Have Been Under Surveillance" sextortion scam

The scammers behind this email falsely claim to have hacked into the recipient's system and obtained compromising material, threatening to expose it unless a ransom is paid. The email includes a claim of hacking, asserting that the recipient's system has been compromised and they have been under surveillance for an extended period.

Additionally, the scammers claim that the recipient's device was infected by visiting an adult website and assert to have recorded videos of them engaging in explicit activities. Furthermore, they claim to have copied all data from their devices to their servers.

The scammers threaten to publicly release the material unless a ransom of $1300 in Bitcoin is paid within a specified timeframe. The email employs various tactics to intimidate the recipient, including threats of legal consequences and promises of anonymity. The scammers claim that the virus used is undetectable and that attempts to change passwords would be futile.

Finally, the scammers warn against replying to or reporting the email, as the sender's address is automatically created and untraceable. They also threaten to publish the recipient's data if they attempt to contact law enforcement or security services.

Overall, this email is a coercive attempt to extort money from the recipient by leveraging fear and intimidation tactics. Recipients need to recognize such scams and refrain from responding or engaging with the scammers. Instead, they should report the email to the appropriate authorities or email service provider to prevent further exploitation.

Similar scam emails in general

Such emails typically share common elements designed to instill fear and coerce recipients into compliance. They often falsely claim to have obtained compromising material through hacking, threaten to expose this material unless a ransom is paid, and assert control over the recipient's data.

Overall, these emails aim to exploit recipients' fears and vulnerabilities for financial gain. Examples of similar scams are "I Have Been Watching You Email Scam", "Start The Conversation With Bad News Email Scam", and "I Would Like To Avoid Any Accusations Against You Email Scam". It is important to mention that cybercriminals also use email to deliver malware.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

Cybercriminals often deliver malware via email through deceptive tactics such as phishing. They send emails masquerading as legitimate messages from trusted sources, enticing recipients to click on malicious links or download infected attachments.

The attached files may contain hidden malware payloads designed to exploit vulnerabilities in the recipient's system upon execution, leading to unauthorized access, data theft, or other malicious activities. Common types of malicious attachments include executable files (such as .exe), compressed files (such as .zip or .rar), Microsoft Office documents (such as .doc or .docx), and PDF files.

Cybercriminals also distribute malware via email through malicious links embedded within the message. These links often appear legitimate, directing recipients to seemingly trustworthy websites, triggering drive-by downloads, or instructing users to download malicious files.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Exercise caution when handling email attachments or opening links included in emails if they come unexpectedly or seem irrelevant, particularly from unfamiliar or suspicious addresses. Keep your operating system, installed programs, and security tools up to date to mitigate potential vulnerabilities.

When downloading applications and files, rely on reputable sources like official websites and trusted app stores. Approach pop-ups, advertisements, or buttons on dubious websites with skepticism, and refrain from using pirated software or cracking tools. Additionally, regularly scan your computer to identify and eliminate any existing threats that may compromise your system's security.

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

Appearance of the "You Have Been Under Surveillance" scam email (GIF):

Text presented in the "You Have Been Under Surveillance" sextortion scam:

Subject: Re:

Your system has been hacked.

You have been under surveillance for an extended period of time.
The virus was infected by an adult website you visited.
I've recorded several videos of you jerking off to highly controversial adult videos.

All data from your devices has been copied to my servers.

I have access to all your messengers, social media, email, chat history and contact list.
I also have access to all of your personal data, which I've already copied to my servers.

I can also put all your data in the public domain.

Illegal material in your country has been found on your device. You could get in trouble with the law.

And also I have all the records of your calls, which I will also put in public access to the Internet if you do not go to my conditions.

I know all your secrets.

I could ruin your life forever.

My virus is constantly updating its signature (it is driver based) so it remains invisible to your system.
I think you can see why I went undetected until this letter.

There's no point in changing passwords, all the data's already copied to my servers.

I guess you really don't want that to happen.

Let's solve it this way: you transfer me 1300 US dollars (in bitcoin equivalent at the exchange rate at the time of transfer), and I will immediately remove all this dirt from my servers.
After this, we will forget about each other. I always keep my word.

My bitcoin wallet for payment: 116A33YsSrr8xCccVYkHnzmAdpK2Q3qVFk
If you don't know how to transfer money and what Bitcoin is. Use Google.

I give you 50 hours (a little over 2 days) to complete the payment.
I get an automatic notification when I read this email. Similarly, the timer will automatically start after you read the current email.

If payment is not confirmed after the given time, all data will be published on the public internet, sent to law enforcement agencies and sent to all your contacts.

Don't waste your time sending me a reply because it won't work (the sender address is automatically created).
Furthermore, do not try to complain anywhere because this text and my bitcoin address cannot be traced anyway.

Do not try to complain anywhere, as the wallet is untraceable, the mail from where the letter came from is also untraceable and created automatically, so there is no point in writing to me.
Do not attempt to contact the police or other security services, otherwise your data will be published.

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:

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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

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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

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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

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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 a sextortion email?

You may have received a sextortion email because scammers obtained your email address through data breaches, online forums, or publicly available directories. Scammers often send these emails in bulk to a large number of recipients in the hopes that some individuals will fall for the scam and pay the ransom.

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

If you have shared personal information with scammers, like credit card details or login credentials, take immediate action. Contact (inform) your bank, change passwords for all compromised accounts, monitor accounts for unauthorized activity, avoid further communication with the scammers, and report the incident to authorities.

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

The likelihood of your computer becoming infected varies based on the file type you interact with. Executable files (.exe) or script files (.js, .vbs) infected with malware pose a high risk when triggered, while document or multimedia files generally present a lower risk of infection.

Was my computer actually hacked and does the sender have any information?

No, your computer was likely not hacked, and the sender does not possess any compromising information.

How did cyber criminals get my email password?

Cybercriminals could have obtained this info through a data breach, where login credentials stolen from a website you have registered to were compromised. Additionally, they may have acquired your password from a phishing website or similar fraudulent page where it was entered.

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

These transactions are essentially untraceable, making retrieval impossible.

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

Merely opening an email poses no threat. Malware infiltration via email cannot occur without opening malicious attached files or included links.

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

Combo Cleaner is designed to detect and eradicate malware. It can find nearly all known malware infections. Sophisticated malware often embeds itself deeply within the system. Therefore, conducting a full system scan is imperative.