What is You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required EMAIL?
You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required is a ‘sextortion’ scam that relies on psychological manipulation tactics. The scammers claim that they obtained material compromising victims’ reputations. It should be emphasized that any statements, claims and threats contained in the ‘sextortion’ scams are false and should be ignored. Criminals usually contact potential victims through email, but in some cases, criminals can use online web forms, whatsapp and sms messages.
The “You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required.” email is a SCAM
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The “You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required” email says that someone has been watching the recipient for the past couple of months. The sender claims that he was able to install a Trojan virus on the victim’s computer, which allowed him to take complete control of the computer and record a video in which the victim masturbates while browsing porn websites and watching dirty videos. The attacker threatens to send this video to the victim’s friends, relatives and even colleagues unless the victim pays the ransom to the bitcoin address provided in the message. As stated above, the email message is just a sextortion scam. All claims and threats made in this message are false. Therefore, recipients are not in danger, the message and similar messages can be safely ignored.
Typically, sextortion scams are sent via email, thousands at a time, and are part of larger spam campaigns. As with many other types of scams, scammers are evolving their methods to deliver their messages to potential victims. Such attacks can be personalized and sent out in smaller numbers to avoid detection. Scammers can use reputable services, change and personalize the content of each message, and avoid including links or attachments – all in an attempt to bypass security.
Text presented in the “You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required” message:
Hello!
Unfortunately, I have some unpleasant news for you.
Roughly several months ago I have managed to get a complete access to all devices that you use to browse internet.
Afterwards, I have proceeded with monitoring all internet activities of yours.You can check out the sequence of events summarize below:
Previously I have bought from hackers a special access to various email accounts (currently, it is rather a straightforward thing that can be done online).
Clearly, I could effortlessly log in to your email account as well (xxxxxxx@xxxxxxxx.com).One week after that, I proceeded with installing a Trojan virus in Operating Systems of all your devices, which are used by you to login to your email.
Actually, that was rather a simple thing to do (because you have opened a few links from your inbox emails previously).
Genius is in simplicity. ( ~_^)Thanks to that software I can get access to all controllers inside your devices (such as your video camera, microphone, keyboard etc.).
I could easily download all your data, photos, web browsing history and other information to my servers.
I can access all your social networks accounts, messengers, emails, including chat history as well as contacts list.
This virus of mine unceasingly keeps refreshing its signatures (since it is controlled by a driver), and as result stays unnoticed by antivirus software.Hereby, I believe by this time it is already clear for you why I was never detected until I sent this letter…
While compiling all the information related to you, I have also found out that you are a true fan and frequent visitor of adult websites.
You truly enjoy browsing through porn websites, while watching arousing videos and experiencing an unimaginable satisfaction.
To be honest, I could not resist but to record some of your kinky solo sessions and compiled them in several videos, which demonstrate you masturbating and cumming in the end.If you still don’t trust me, all it takes me is several mouse clicks to distribute all those videos with your colleagues, friends and even relatives.
In addition, I can upload them online for entire public to access.
I truly believe, you absolutely don’t want such things to occur, bearing in mind the kinky stuff exposed in those videos that you usually watch, (you definitely understand what I am trying to say) it will result in a complete disaster for you.We can still resolve it in the following manner:
You perform a transfer of $1590 USD to me (a bitcoin equivalent based on the exchange rate during the funds transfer), so after I receive the transfer, I will straight away remove all those lecherous videos without hesitation.
Then we can pretend like it has never happened before. In addition, I assure that all the harmful software will be deactivated and removed from all devices of yours. Don’t worry, I am a man of my word.It is really a good deal with a considerably low the price, bearing in mind that I was monitoring your profile as well as traffic over an extended period.
If you still unaware about the purchase and transfer process of bitcoins – all you can do is find the necessary information online.My bitcoin wallet is as follows: 1MW4maqRuqi62YiRNMaBiHT65WJJMEAvQw
You are left with 48 hours and the countdown starts right after you open this email (2 days to be specific).
Don’t forget to keep in mind and abstain from doing the following:
> Do not attempt to reply my email (this email was generated in your inbox together with the return address).
> Do not attempt to call police as well as other security services. Moreover, don’t even think of sharing it with your friends. If I get to know about it (based on my skills, that would be very easy, since that I have all your systems under my control and constant monitoring) – your dirty video will become public without delay.
> Don’t attempt searching for me – it is completely useless. Cryptocurrency transactions always remain anonymous.
> Don’t attempt reinstalling the OS of your devices or even getting rid of them. It is meaningless too, because all your private videos are already been available on remote servers.Things you should be concerned about:
> That I will not receive the funds transfer you make.
Relax, I will be able to track it immediately, after you complete the funds transfer, because I unceasingly monitor all activities that you do (trojan virus of mine can control remotely all processes, same as TeamViewer).
> That I will still distribute your videos after you have sent the money to me.
Believe me, it is pointless for me to proceed with troubling you after that. Besides that, if that really was my intention, it would happen long time ago!It all will be settled on fair conditions and terms!
One last advice from me… Moving forward make sure you don’t get involved in such type of incidents again!
My suggestion – make sure you change all your passwords as often as possible.
Should you pay?
The best advice is: Don’t pay the ransom! If you receive the sextortion email 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 | You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required SCAM |
| Type | Phishing, Bitcoin Email Scam, Fraud, Scam |
| Ransom amount | $1590 |
| Bitcoin Address | 1MW4maqRuqi62YiRNMaBiHT65WJJMEAvQw |
| Distribution method | spam email campaigns |
| Removal | If you gets an email like You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required, our computer security experts recommend follow some easy steps below |
There are many variations of the scam, scammers often change the text of messages in order to deceive victims and bypass security systems. In addition, in some cases, criminals can translate the text of sextortion messages into other languages, thus targeting a specific group of Internet users. I have to share bad news with you, Hi, I’m sorry but You’re going to have a bad day, Hello, I’m going to share important information with you are other examples of sextortion scams. Such messages are also often used to distribute ransomware, trojans, worms and other malware.
What to do when you receive the You have an outstanding payment. Debt settlement required SCAM
We advice to someone who gets this fraudulence message:
- Do not panic.
- Do not pay a ransom.
- 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 computer for malware
If you suspect that your computer is infected with malware, you accidentally clicked on a link in the scam email, or just want to scan your computer, then use one of the best free malware removal tools. Zemana is extremely fast and ultra light weight malicious software removal tool. It will help you detect and remove adware, spyware, trojans, potentially unwanted programs and other malware. This program gives real-time protection that never slow down your device. Zemana Anti Malware is developed for experienced and beginner computer users. The interface of this tool is very easy to use, simple and minimalist.
- Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of Zemana for Windows. Save it on your desktop.
Zemana AntiMalware
164114 downloads
Author: Zemana Ltd
Category: Security tools
Update: July 16, 2019
- At the download page, click on the Download button. Your browser will show the “Save as” prompt. Please save it onto your Windows desktop.
- After the downloading process is complete, please close all apps and open windows on your PC system. Next, launch a file named Zemana.AntiMalware.Setup.
- This will start the “Setup wizard” of Zemana Anti Malware onto your computer. Follow the prompts and don’t make any changes to default settings.
- When the Setup wizard has finished installing, the Zemana AntiMalware will start and display the main window.
- Further, click the “Scan” button . Zemana will begin scanning the whole computer to detect malicious software. Depending on your personal computer, the scan can take anywhere from a few minutes to close to an hour. While the utility is scanning, you can see how many objects and files has already scanned.
- After Zemana Anti-Malware has completed scanning your computer, you will be displayed the list of all found items on your computer.
- Make sure to check mark the threats which are unsafe and then click the “Next” button. When finished, you may be prompted to reboot the computer.
- Close the Zemana Anti-Malware and continue with the next step.
If you are having issues with malware removal, then check out MalwareBytes. We recommend this free malware removal utility because it can easily remove trojans, spyware, browser hijackers, adware, potentially unwanted software and toolbars with all their components such as files, folders and registry entries. Visit the page linked below to download the latest version of MalwareBytes Anti-Malware for Windows.
326466 downloads
Author: Malwarebytes
Category: Security tools
Update: April 15, 2020
We suggest you look at the following video, which completely explains the process of using the MalwareBytes Anti Malware to remove malicious software.
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.
26660 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
If you receive a scam 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. This helps us to warn users about current scams, monitor trends and disrupt scams where possible.
