How to identify fake letters like the "Lambda Ransomware" scam email
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on (updated)
What kind of scam is "Lambda Ransomware" hoax?
Following an examination, it has been determined that this email is a fraudulent attempt to deceive users by falsely claiming that their computers are infected with ransomware and their files have been encrypted. The scammers orchestrating this scam endeavor to entice recipients into making a ransom payment in exchange for purportedly restoring access to their files.
More about the "Lambda Ransomware" scam email
The email claims that all files have been encrypted and stolen, and the recipient must follow provided instructions to recover their data. The scammers, who identify themselves as responsible for the Lambda ransomware, assert a business-only interest and guarantee the return of files by offering to decrypt one for free.
To regain access, the recipient is instructed to send $2,800 in either BTC or ETH to specified cryptocurrency addresses. The email warns against attempting file restoration independently, stating potential damage to the private key and subsequent data loss. Third-party interference is strongly discouraged, with the threat of it being considered a scam.
It is crucial to recognize that there is no encryption or file theft. Rather, this is just an attempt to exploit fear and coercion for financial gain. In essence, the email is a deceptive ploy aimed at manipulating individuals into making unwarranted payments under false pretenses. Vigilance and skepticism are paramount in safeguarding against such fraudulent schemes.
It is important to note that recovering cryptocurrency sent as part of a scam is extremely challenging and, in many cases, nearly impossible. Cryptocurrency transactions are designed to be irreversible. Once the funds are sent, they are typically gone for good.
| Name | Lambda Ransomware Email Scam |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Files have been encrypted by ransomware |
| Cyber Criminal Cryptowallet Address | bc1qu0ywjzjjva5ag2qgmzf2r8q9qxg867f32h8v2x (BTC), 0xe0a1Bb3609D52837294605e7Bc598B7a1A943bBE (ETH) |
| Disguise | Letter from the attackers |
| Symptoms | Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access of the computer. |
| Distribution methods | Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains. |
| Damage | Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft. |
| Malware Removal (Windows) | To eliminate possible malware infections, scan your computer with legitimate antivirus software. Our security researchers recommend using Combo Cleaner. |
Similar scam emails in general
Scam emails often share common characteristics, including unsolicited communication, urgent or threatening language, requests for personal or financial information, use of generic greetings, spelling and grammar errors, and suspicious email addresses or links.
These elements aim to manipulate recipients into taking hasty actions, such as providing sensitive information or making payments, by creating a false sense of urgency or importance. Some examples of emails of this kind are "Apple Security Releases", "Security Info Was Added", and "DHL - Outstanding Payment".
Cybercriminals can use email as a tool not only to extract money or information but also to deliver malware.
How do spam campaigns infect computers?
Users can unwittingly infect their computers through email-based attacks when emails contain malicious links or files (attachments). Clicking malicious links in emails can lead users to websites hosting malware or triggering malicious drive-by downloads.
Malicious files within emails often masquerade as harmless documents, such as invoices or shipping notifications, concealing their harmful nature. These deceptive attachments may be seemingly innocuous files like MS Office or PDF documents, JavaScript files, or executables.
When users open these attachments, they unintentionally trigger the execution of malware on their systems. Nonetheless, the act of opening files may not always lead to computer infections. Frequently, additional actions are necessary, such as enabling macros commands within documents, for malware to successfully infiltrate computers.
How to avoid installation of malware?
Exercise prudence when dealing with emails, particularly those originating from unfamiliar or dubious sources. Refrain from clicking on links or downloading attachments in emails that raise suspicion. Keep the operating system and installed programs up to date by installing updates regularly.
Employ reliable security software and abstain from downloading pirated software or unofficial tools designed to circumvent activation. When obtaining apps and files, opt for official sites and app stores to ensure credibility and security. Avoid interacting with ads, pop-ups, and links on dubious websites to minimize the risk of encountering potential threats.
If you have already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the "Lambda Ransomware" email letter:
Subject: *URGENT NOTICE!!! System Files Encrypted!!!
Lambda Ransomware[+] What's happened?
All your files are encrypted and stolen, but you need to follow our instructions. otherwise, you cant return your data (NEVER).[+] What guarantees?
Its just a business. We absolutely do not care about you and your deals, except getting benefits. If we do not do our work and liabilities - nobody will not cooperate with us. Its not in our interests.
To check the ability of returning files, we decrypt one file for free. That is our guarantee.
If you will not cooperate with our service - for us, its does not matter. But you will lose your time and data, cause just we have the private key. time is much more valuable than money.[+] Instructions:
a) Send a $2,800 BTC or ETH to the bellow addresses
b) BTC: bc1qu0ywjzjjva5ag2qgmzf2r8q9qxg867f32h8v2x
c) ETH : 0xe0a1Bb3609D52837294605e7Bc598B7a1A943bBE!!! DANGER !!!
DON'T try to change files by yourself, DON'T use any third party software for restoring your data or antivirus/edr solutions - its may entail damage of the private key and, as result, The Loss all data.
SPEAK for yourself. Since no one else has the private key, any interfere of third party companies/individuals is tantamount to scamming you.
ONE MORE TIME: Its in your interests to get your files back. From our side, we (the best specialists) make everything for restoring, but please should not interfere.
!!! !!! !!!
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Quick menu:
- What is Lambda Ransomware hoax?
- Types of malicious emails.
- How to spot a malicious email?
- What to do if you fell for an email scam?
Types of malicious emails:
Phishing Emails
Most commonly, cybercriminals use deceptive emails to trick Internet users into giving away their sensitive private information, for example, login information for various online services, email accounts, or online banking information.
Such attacks are called phishing. In a phishing attack, cybercriminals usually send an email message with some popular service logo (for example, Microsoft, DHL, Amazon, Netflix), create urgency (wrong shipping address, expired password, etc.), and place a link which they hope their potential victims will click on.
After clicking the link presented in such email message, victims are redirected to a fake website that looks identical or extremely similar to the original one. Victims are then asked to enter their password, credit card details, or some other information that gets stolen by cybercriminals.
Emails with Malicious Attachments
Another popular attack vector is email spam with malicious attachments that infect users' computers with malware. Malicious attachments usually carry trojans that are capable of stealing passwords, banking information, and other sensitive information.
In such attacks, cybercriminals' main goal is to trick their potential victims into opening an infected email attachment. To achieve this goal, email messages usually talk about recently received invoices, faxes, or voice messages.
If a potential victim falls for the lure and opens the attachment, their computers get infected, and cybercriminals can collect a lot of sensitive information.
While it's a more complicated method to steal personal information (spam filters and antivirus programs usually detect such attempts), if successful, cybercriminals can get a much wider array of data and can collect information for a long period of time.
Sextortion Emails
This is a type of phishing. In this case, users receive an email claiming that a cybercriminal could access the webcam of the potential victim and has a video recording of one's masturbation.
To get rid of the video, victims are asked to pay a ransom (usually using Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency). Nevertheless, all of these claims are false - users who receive such emails should ignore and delete them.
How to spot a malicious email?
While cyber criminals try to make their lure emails look trustworthy, here are some things that you should look for when trying to spot a phishing email:
- Check the sender's ("from") email address: Hover your mouse over the "from" address and check if it's legitimate. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft, be sure to check if the email address is @microsoft.com and not something suspicious like @m1crosoft.com, @microsfot.com, @account-security-noreply.com, etc.
- Check for generic greetings: If the greeting in the email is "Dear user", "Dear @youremail.com", "Dear valued customer", this should raise suspiciousness. Most commonly, companies call you by your name. Lack of this information could signal a phishing attempt.
- Check the links in the email: Hover your mouse over the link presented in the email, if the link that appears seems suspicious, don't click it. For example, if you received an email from Microsoft and the link in the email shows that it will go to firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0... you shouldn't trust it. It's best not to click any links in the emails but to visit the company website that sent you the email in the first place.
- Don't blindly trust email attachments: Most commonly, legitimate companies will ask you to log in to their website and to view any documents there; if you received an email with an attachment, it's a good idea to scan it with an antivirus application. Infected email attachments are a common attack vector used by cybercriminals.
To minimise the risk of opening phishing and malicious emails we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
Example of a spam email:
What to do if you fell for an email scam?
- If you clicked on a link in a phishing email and entered your password - be sure to change your password as soon as possible. Usually, cybercriminals collect stolen credentials and then sell them to other groups that use them for malicious purposes. If you change your password in a timely manner, there's a chance that criminals won't have enough time to do any damage.
- If you entered your credit card information - contact your bank as soon as possible and explain the situation. There's a good chance that you will need to cancel your compromised credit card and get a new one.
- If you see any signs of identity theft - you should immediately contact the Federal Trade Commission. This institution will collect information about your situation and create a personal recovery plan.
- If you opened a malicious attachment - your computer is probably infected, you should scan it with a reputable antivirus application. For this purpose, we recommend using Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows.
- Help other Internet users - report phishing emails to Anti-Phishing Working Group, FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, National Fraud Information Center and U.S. Department of Justice.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why did I receive this email?
Criminals send out identical letters to thousands of recipients, anticipating that someone will be duped. These spam emails lack specific targeting.
I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?
If you have shared account credentials, you should promptly change all passwords. In the event of divulging additional personal information, such as credit card details or ID card information, it is recommended to contact the relevant authorities as soon as possible.
I have downloaded and opened a file attached to an email, is my computer infected?
The likelihood of your computer being infected depends on the file type you downloaded and opened. If it's an executable file, there's a higher risk of infection. However, for document files like .pdf or .doc, the risk may be lower, as these formats often require additional actions to execute malicious code.
Was my computer actually hacked?
No, assertions regarding file encryption and computer infection are false.
I have sent cryptocurrency to the address presented in such email, can I get my money back?
Recovering cryptocurrency sent in response to a scam email is highly challenging, and in most cases, it is unlikely. Cryptocurrency transactions are typically irreversible.
I have read the email but did not open the attachment, is my computer infected?
Merely opening an email poses no threat. Computers can only become infected upon opening files or links.
Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?
Combo Cleaner can identify and eradicate a wide spectrum of known malware infections. It is essential to recognize that advanced forms of malware often embed themselves deeply within the system's architecture. Consequently, executing a thorough system scan is imperative to ensure the comprehensive detection and elimination of threats.
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