In this post we will discuss a new variant of Reveton ransomware, specifically the United States Cyber Security MoneyPak online extortion scam. Reveton related ransomware scams are hardly new. Crooks behind this ransomware traditionally have been targeting European users for years. Not the entire Europe of course, only the wealthiest countries including Germany, France, Sweden, Spain, Italy and probably five or six more.
But things have started to change recently when cyber crooks released new variants of Reveton ransomware targeting U.S. and Canadian users. First, there was the FBI ransomware, then United States Department of Justice scams followed by other scams mimicking official notices from national police agencies in Canada. So, what we have now is the latest malware variant that mimics United States Cyber Security notice and frightens people into paying fines to avoid prosecution for supposedly downloaded and distributed pirated and illegal content. Needless to say that police authorities would rather knock at your front door rather than send you a warning asking to pay the fine via MoneyPak. Very often cyber crooks use strong language to scare victims into paying the fine, usually 100 or 200 bucks. It could be as low as $50 but we’ve never seen more than$200.
But things have started to change recently when cyber crooks released new variants of Reveton ransomware targeting U.S. and Canadian users. First, there was the FBI ransomware, then United States Department of Justice scams followed by other scams mimicking official notices from national police agencies in Canada. So, what we have now is the latest malware variant that mimics United States Cyber Security notice and frightens people into paying fines to avoid prosecution for supposedly downloaded and distributed pirated and illegal content. Needless to say that police authorities would rather knock at your front door rather than send you a warning asking to pay the fine via MoneyPak. Very often cyber crooks use strong language to scare victims into paying the fine, usually 100 or 200 bucks. It could be as low as $50 but we’ve never seen more than$200.
United States Cyber Security MoneyPak and related scams can be very successful. In fact, a ransom Trojan is very similar to a rogue antivirus program which similarly hijacks your computer and displays fake warnings until you pay the ransom or find a way to remove the malicious application. Don’t pay the fine because most certainly you won’t be able to get your money back. This scam does not rely on credit card payments from victims, there can’t be any chargebacks. Cyber crooks use alternative payment systems, mostly MoneyPak, Ukash and Paysafe. It’s rather easy to pay the fine via MoneyPak. MoneyPak cards are available for purchase at Wal-Mart, Kmart and other retailers. Victim maintains his anonymity but at the same time repeals any valid opportunity to get his money back. That’s an unenviable situation.
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