FINAL WARNING. Do you really think it was some kind of joke is a new Bitcoin Email Scam that has been spreading on the Internet recently. Many people around the world have received similar email letters and reported about them on Reddit, other websites and public forums. We have repeatedly written about such emails, for example here and here. In all these messages, scammers use threats to get a ransom from the recipients of the letters. Despite the fact that these letters are very suspicious, and most people simply delete them, scammers hope that at least a few recipients will be naive enough and pay a ransom.
There are variations in the wording of the email body, but all of these messages are basically the same:
FINAL WARNING Do you really think it was some kind of joke or that you can ignore me? I can see what you are doing. Stop shopping and f*cking around, your time is almost over. Yea, I know what you were doing past couple of days. I have been observing you. Btw. nice car you have got there.. I wonder how it will look with pics of your d*ck and face... Because you think you are smarter and can disregard me, I am posting the videos I recorded with you masturbating to the porn right now. I will upload the videos I acquired along with some of your details to the online forum. I amsure they will love to see you in action, and you will soon discover what is going to happen to you. If you do not fund this bitcoin address with $1500 within next 2 days, I will contact your relatives and everybody on your contact lists and show them your recordings. ======= Send 0.2 bitcoin (i.e approx $1500) to this Bitcoin address: Scan the QR code with mobile to get the address. ======= You can buy bitcoin from many places like Bitstamp, Coinbase, Krakenetc, etc. If you want to save yourself - better act fast, because right now you are [edited]. We will not leave you alone, and there are many people on the groups that will make your life feel really bad.
What is Bitcoin email scam
Bitcoin email scam is old extortion scheme – which try to guilt people into paying off someone claiming to have secretly recorded video or compromising information. Scammers uses the database of emails to sent this email scam out to millions of people around the World. The messages are sent to email addresses exposed in previous known data breaches in which the user database (email address and/or password) was indexed online.
Should you pay?
The best advice is: Don’t pay the ransom! If you receive the blackmail scam, just ignore the scammers’ empty threats. The best way to deal with the scam email is simply to move it to trash!
Threat Summary
Name | ‘FINAL WARNING. Do you really think it was some kind of joke’ Email Scam |
Type | Phishing, Bitcoin Email Scam, Fraud, Scam |
Ransom amount | 0.2 bitcoin ($1500) |
Distribution method | spam email campaigns |
Removal | If you gets an email like the FINAL WARNING. Do you really think it was some kind of joke, our computer security experts recommend follow some easy steps below |
What to do when you receive the “FINAL WARNING. Do you really think it was some kind of joke” EMAIL SCAM
We advice to someone who gets this fraudulence message:
- Do not panic.
- Scammers will try to rush you, pressure you to make a decision to pay him. We recommend you do not pay a ransom, because your payment will only increase attacks against you.
- If there’s a link in the scam email, do not click it, otherwise you could unwittingly install malware or ransomware on your computer.
- Report the email spam to the FTC at https://www.ftc.gov/
- Scan your computer for malware.
- Install an anti-phishing software.
How to scan your PC for malware
Best malware removal tools should detect and remove adware, trojans, spyware, worms, potentially unwanted software, toolbars, keyloggers, browser hijackers, and popup generators. The key is locating one with a good reputation and these features. Most quality programs listed below offer a free scan and malicious software removal so you can find and uninstall unwanted apps without having to pay.
Zemana is a malware scanner that is very effective for detecting and uninstalling malicious software. The steps below will explain how to download, install, and use Zemana to scan and remove malware, spyware, adware, potentially unwanted apps, browser hijackers from your computer for free.
Zemana Anti-Malware can be downloaded from the following link. Save it on your Microsoft Windows desktop.
116222 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
After the download is finished, start it and follow the prompts. Once installed, the Zemana will try to update itself and when this process is complete, click the “Scan” button to perform a system scan with this utility for malware.
A scan can take anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes, depending on the number of files on your PC system and the speed of your PC. Once Zemana has finished scanning your computer, you’ll be shown the list of all detected threats on your computer. Click “Next” button to remove the found malware.
How to protect yourself from phishing, malicious and misleading websites
If you want to protect yourself from phishing websites, then install an ad blocker program such as AdGuard. It can block malicious and misleading web sites, stop unwanted advertisements and popups when using the Internet Explorer, Google Chrome, Firefox and Edge. So, if you like surf the Internet, and want to protect your computer from malicious web pages, then the AdGuard is your best choice.
Installing the AdGuard is simple. First you’ll need to download AdGuard by clicking on the link below.
22419 downloads
Version: 6.4
Author: © Adguard
Category: Security tools
Update: November 15, 2018
After downloading it, double-click the downloaded file to start it. The “Setup Wizard” window will show up on the computer screen as displayed below.
Follow the prompts. AdGuard will then be installed and an icon will be placed on your desktop. A window will show up asking you to confirm that you want to see a quick guide as displayed on the screen below.
Click “Skip” button to close the window and use the default settings, or press “Get Started” to see an quick guidance which will assist you get to know AdGuard better.
Each time, when you start your system, AdGuard will start automatically and stop unwanted advertisements, block phishing, as well as other harmful or misleading websites. For an overview of all the features of the application, or to change its settings you can simply double-click on the AdGuard icon, which can be found on your desktop.
Finish words
We hope that this article helped you understand what “FINAL WARNING. Do you really think it was some kind of joke” Email Scam is and not succumb to the threats of scammers. If you receive an email that is similar but not the same as the example above, make sure you remove any personal info in this message, then post it as comment on this article. It will help our team monitor the latest scams.