The “Internet Fraudsters Arrested” email scam is a new phishing campaign designed to deceive unsuspecting recipients with promises of government compensation. Disguised as an official message from a fake detective affiliated with Spanish law enforcement, this email falsely claims that online fraudsters have been caught and the Spanish government is now compensating their victims — to the tune of €2,000,000.
At first glance, the email appears professional and urgent, seemingly offering restitution. However, a closer examination reveals a classic social engineering trap — one that aims to steal your personal and financial information or trick you into sending money under the guise of fees or taxes.
Threat Summary
Attribute | Details |
---|---|
Threat Name | “Internet Fraudsters Arrested” Email Scam |
Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering |
Associated Email Address | barrjhgeorge7798@gmail.com |
Fake Entities | Crime Fraud Investigation Department Spain, Supreme Court of Spain |
Claimed Sender | “Roger Louis”, fake U.S. detective under Spanish police |
Detection Names | SCAM_Generic.SocialEng, Phishing.Email.FraudulentCompensation |
Symptoms | Urge to contact a “barrister”, unsolicited offer of compensation, urgency |
Potential Damage | Loss of sensitive info, monetary theft, identity fraud |
Distribution Methods | Spam emails, spoofed government authority impersonation |
Danger Level | ★★★★★ High |
The Scam Email Text
Subject: From the Crime Fraud Investigation Department Spain.
This is Roger Louis, United States detective working under Spanish police on Cyber Crime and Internet Fraud.
Be informed that the internet fraudsters who defraud you have been arrested and charged to court, last Friday was the final judgement. The court has ordered the Spanish Government to pay you compensation and damages for all the money you lose to those fraudsters, in which the crime are committed by South Americans and Africans living over here in Spain.
This is to notify you that The Supreme Court of Spain has ordered the Spanish Government to pay you compensation and damages. The sum of €2,000,000.00 (Two Million Euros) has been approved to you in order to compensate you for all the money you lose to those internet fraudsters in Spain.
The Policía Nacional Crime Fraud Investigation Department Spain is very pleased to inform you that your information has been passed to Barrister George Hernández for immediate transfer of your compensation funds from the Spanish Government.
Contact person: Barrister George Hernández from Principal Attorney George Hernández & Asociados Corporate and Finance Law Firm Madrid, Spain.
Contact email: barrjhgeorge7798@gmail.com
Contact Address: Avda Reina Victoria 58 – Esc. 1, 1єA 28003
If you are interested in receiving the compensation funds €2,000,000.00 – Two Million Euros, you should contact Barrister George Hernández on this email address: barrjhgeorge7798@gmail.com. He will direct you on how to receive your funds.
When contacting the Barrister, Please ask for his ID Card, for you to be sure you are in contact with the right person.
Thank you and Congratulation in advance
Best Regards,
Roger Louis
United States detective working under Spanish police on Cyber Crime and Internet Fraud.
Why This Is Dangerous
This scam plays on a victim’s previous experience with fraud, using psychological manipulation to regain trust and appear legitimate. The entire message is fabricated — there is no U.S. detective working with Spanish police named Roger Louis, nor is there a barrister named George Hernández connected to a legitimate law firm at the provided address. The ultimate goal of the scam is to trick recipients into sharing private details or sending money.
How to Manually Identify and Remove Email Scams
Manually removing email scams involves recognizing fraudulent messages, securing your accounts, and taking precautions to prevent future attacks. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Identify Suspicious Emails
Before taking action, you need to identify scam emails. Common signs include:
- Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
- Urgency or Threats: Scammers often pressure you to act immediately (e.g., “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”).
- Poor Grammar & Spelling: Many scam emails contain obvious grammatical mistakes.
- Suspicious Links & Attachments: Hover over links (without clicking) to check the actual URL. If it looks odd, don’t click.
- Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email.
Step 2: Do Not Click Links or Download Attachments
If you suspect an email is a scam:
- Do not click on any links.
- Do not open any attachments.
- Do not reply to the sender.
Step 3: Report the Email Scam
You can report the scam email to various authorities:
- Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click the “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” button in your email client.
- FTC (Federal Trade Commission, USA): Report to FTC Complaint Assistant.
- Google Safe Browsing: If the scam email contains a phishing website, report it here.
Step 4: Block the Sender
- Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots in the top-right corner, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
- Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
- Yahoo Mail: Open the email, click “More” > “Block Sender”.
Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Unauthorized Activity
If you accidentally clicked a link or shared sensitive information:
- Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
- Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
- Check your banking statements for unauthorized transactions.
Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware
Some email scams contain malware hidden in attachments or malicious links. Run a full system scan using built-in tools:
- Windows Defender (Windows 10/11):
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
- Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
- Mac Users:
- Use Malwarebytes for Mac or another security tool.
Step 7: Adjust Your Email Security Settings
- Enable email filtering to reduce spam and phishing emails.
- Add a third-party spam filter such as Mailwasher or Spamihilator.
- Educate yourself and others on phishing techniques to avoid future scams.
How to Remove Email Scams Using SpyHunter (Automated Method)
For users who prefer an automated, foolproof method to remove threats linked to email scams, SpyHunter offers an advanced security solution. SpyHunter is an anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, spyware, Trojans, and other cyber threats. Follow these steps:
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
- Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
- Click on “Download” and save the installation file to your computer.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
- Locate the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe) and double-click to open it.
- Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- After installation, launch SpyHunter.
Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan
- Open SpyHunter and navigate to “Malware/PC Scan”.
- Click “Start Scan Now” to begin a deep scan of your system.
- SpyHunter will analyze files, registry entries, and processes for any threats linked to email scams, phishing, and malware.
Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats
- Once the scan completes, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
- Click “Fix Threats” to remove them.
- Restart your computer to complete the removal process.
Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection
SpyHunter includes real-time protection features to help prevent future infections:
- Enable Active Guards: This monitors your system for malware in real time.
- Schedule Automatic Scans: Set up periodic scans to detect new threats early.
Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated
- Regularly check for updates to ensure SpyHunter detects the latest threats.
- To update SpyHunter, open the app and go to “Settings” > “Update”, then click “Check for Updates”.
Preventing Future Email Scams
Now that you’ve removed email scams, take proactive steps to prevent them in the future:
Use a Secure Email Provider
- Consider switching to a secure email provider like ProtonMail or Tutanota, which offer advanced encryption.
Be Cautious with Email Links
- If you receive an email with a suspicious link, verify the website’s legitimacy before clicking.
Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities
- Scammers can use public Wi-Fi to intercept your data. Use a VPN when accessing email on public networks.
Regularly Change Your Passwords
- Update your passwords every few months, and never reuse old passwords.
Use Anti-Phishing Extensions
- Install browser extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing links in real-time.
Email scams are a serious cyber threat that can lead to financial loss, identity theft, or malware infections. By following the manual removal steps, you can effectively identify and remove suspicious emails on your own. However, for advanced protection, using SpyHunter ensures a more thorough and automated approach to detecting and removing phishing-related threats.
Recommended Action
For a fast and efficient way to remove email scams and related malware, download and install SpyHunter now: Download SpyHunter
By staying informed and proactive, you can protect yourself from future email scams and online threats!
If you receive such an email, do not respond or click on any links. Mark it as spam and report it to your email provider or local cybercrime unit.