Fake Email Message with Virus Attached - "Aspiring Solicitors Debt Collection"
The email message below with the subject: "Aspiring Solicitors Debt Collection," has a malicious Microsoft Word document attached to it that will infect the recipients' computer if they open it. The email message and attachment are fakes and were designed to trick the recipients into opening the malicious attachment disguised as a form. So, if you receive the same email message, please do not attempt to open the attachment. Just delete it.
The Fake Email Message with a Malicious Word Document
Date: 19 March 2015 at 12:52
Subject: Aspiring Solicitors Debt CollectionAspiring Solicitors
Ref : 195404544
Date : 02.10.2014Dear Sir, Madam
Re: Our Client Bank of Scotland PLC
Account Number:77666612
Balance: 2,345.00
We are instructed by Bank of Scotland PLC in relation to the above matter.
You are required to pay the balance of GBP 2,345.00 in full within 7(seven) days from the date of this email to avoid Country Court proceedings being issued against you. Once proceedings have been issued, you will be liable for court fees and solicitors costs detailed below.
Court Fees GBP 245.00
Solicitors Costs GBP 750.00Cheques or Postal Orders should be made payable to Bank of Scotland PLC and sent to the address in attachment below quoting the above account number.
We are instructed by our Client that they can accept payment by either Debit or Credit Card.If you wish to make a payment in this wa, then please contact us with your Card details. We will then pass these details on to our Client in order that they may process your agreed payment. Kindly note that any payment made will be shown on your Bank and/or Credit Card Statement as being made to Bank of Scotland PLC
If you have any queries regarding this matter or have a genuine reason for non payment, you should contact us within 7 days from the date of this email to avoid legal proceedings being issued against you, by filling the contact us form in attachment below.
Yours faithfully,
Shawn Ballard
Aspiring SolicitorsDepartment CCD, Box 449
Upper Ground Floor
1-5 Queens Road Quadrant
Brighton
BN1 3XJUnited Kingdom
The email message has a Microsoft Word document attached, that contains a set of Macro instructions that will download malicious files (viruses, Trojan horse, spyware) from malicious websites onto the victims' computer.
The malicious Microsoft Word document is dangerous to the recipients if they open it and enable "Macros" or enable content.
The cybercriminals behind these malicious email messages aims are to trick the curious recipients into opening the malicious attachment, which will infect their computers with a virus or Trojan horse.
Once their computers have become infected with this malicious Trojan horse, the cybercriminals behind this email message will be able to access and take control of their computers remotely from anywhere around the world. They may spy on them, use their computers to commit cybercrimes, or steal their personal and financial information.
Now, if you have already opened the malicious attachment, please do a full scan of your computer with the antivirus software installed on it. The name of the attachment may change, so be careful when opening email attachments.
If you don’t have antivirus software installed on your computer, please click here for a list of free antivirus software.
For a list of other virus email messages, please click here.
Check the comment section for additional information, or share what you know or ask a question about this article, by clicking the 'View or Write Comment' button below.
Note: Some of the information in samples on this website may have been impersonated or spoofed.