Do not trust fake "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" emails
Written by Tomas Meskauskas on
What kind of email is "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE"?
Our examination of the "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" email revealed that it is spam. This mail states that the recipient has won EuroMillionen (the German name of the EuroMillions transnational lottery) several years prior. Due to corruption, the prize was not paid out at the time, but the recipient can claim it now.
This phishing email aims to deceive victims into disclosing sensitive personal information. It must be stressed that this mail is in no way associated with any legitimate lotteries or other entities.
"INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" email scam overview
The scam email with the subject "ACHTUNG: ABSCHLIEßENDE MITTEILUNG FÜR DIE ZAHLUNG" (may vary) is in German and includes an attached PDF document. Both the body of the letter and the attachment contain identical text.
Based on a rough translation, this missive is presented as a notice from a law firm appointed by the Spanish "Office of Unclaimed Prize Funds". The letter states that the recipient has not claimed their prize from the EuroMillions lottery for several years. They, as the winner, had been randomly selected through an online process involving names and email addresses.
The recipient had not been notified of their win initially due to corrupt bank officials who had sought to steal the prize money. However, the theft was unsuccessful, and following an investigation, the €1,540,220 sum can now be claimed.
The money was deposited to the Bank of Spain, and the winner can retrieve it via bank transfer, cash check, or ATM card. The recipient is encouraged to contact the law firm's German-speaking lawyer for the necessary legal advice.
As mentioned in the introduction, all these claims are fake, and this mail is not associated with the actual EuroMillions lottery, Loterías y Apuestas del Estado, Bank of Spain, or any other legitimate entities.
This spam email seeks victims' personally identifiable information. The recipient is requested to send the scammers a copy of their passport or ID card, as well as "reconfirm" the following information – full name, birthdate, occupation, address, country, phone number, email address, bank name and number, banking account number (the latter if the recipient wants the supposed winnings via bank transfer).
Cyber criminals can use personally identifiable details to steal victims' identities and carry out a variety of nefarious deeds. Financial data may be used to facilitate fraudulent transactions and/or online purchases. In summary, victims of this type of spam can experience severe privacy issues and financial losses.
If you have already disclosed your personal data to scammers – immediately contact the appropriate authorities.
| Name | "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" phishing email |
| Threat Type | Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud |
| Fake Claim | Recipient can claim their 1.540.220 EUR prize from the EuroMillions lottery. |
| Disguise | EuroMillions |
| Attachment(s) | INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE.pdf (filename may vary) |
| 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 spam campaign examples
We have inspected countless spam emails; "La Primitiva Lottery Promotions Program 2023", "Netherlands De Lotto", "Asian Continental Lottery", and "Max-Lotto" are just a few examples of lottery-themed letters.
Various scams are promoted through spam, and it is also used to distribute malware. While infamous for being riddled with errors, spam emails can also be elaborately disguised as messages from legitimate companies, institutions, organizations, service providers, authorities, and other entities.
How do spam campaigns infect computers?
Spam emails/messages can include infectious files as attachments or download links. These files can be in various formats, e.g., documents (Microsoft Office, Microsoft OneNote, PDF, etc.), executables (.exe, .run, etc.), archives (RAR, ZIP, etc.), JavaScript, and so on.
Upon opening, malicious files trigger system infection processes. Some formats might need additional user interaction to jumpstart malware download/installation chains. For example, Microsoft Office files require users to enable macro commands (i.e., editing/content), while OneNote documents need them to click embedded files or links.
How to avoid installation of malware?
It is important to always treat incoming emails and other messages with caution. We advise against opening attachments or links present in dubious mail, as they can be virulent. We recommend using Microsoft Office versions released after 2010 since their "Protected View" mode prevents automatic macro command execution.
It must be mentioned that malware is proliferated using various techniques. Therefore, we also advise being careful while browsing since fake and malicious online content usually appears genuine and harmless.
Another recommendation is to download only from official and trustworthy channels. Additionally, all programs must be activated and updated using functions/tools provided by legitimate developers, as illegal activation tools ("cracks") and third-party updates can contain malware.
It is paramount for device/user safety to have a reputable anti-virus installed and kept updated. Security software must be used to perform regular system scans and to remove detected threats. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.
Text presented in the "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" email letter:
INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE / EURO-MILLIONEN-JACKPOT LOTTO
C/ Bernardino Obregón 25 28012 Madrid Spanien
Achtung: Offizielle Mitteilung,
Sehr geehrte Damen/Herren, Begünstigter 03.11.2023
Referenznummer: 0001/2005/KSBLP/2023
Abschließende Mitteilung Für Die Zahlung Des Nicht BeanspruchtenWir möchten Sie darüber informieren, dass das Amt für nicht beanspruchte Preisgelder in Spanien unsere Anwaltskanzlei damit beauftragt hat, als Rechtsberater bei der Bearbeitung und dem
Auszahlung des Preisgeldes, das Ihnen gutgeschrieben wurde und nun schon seit mehreren Jahren nicht mehr beansprucht wurde. Wir sind Direktoren des Spanischen Internationalen Lotteriebüros und
Das Finanzministerium und einige andere relevante Ermittlungsbehörden hier in Spanien haben unseren ausländischen Zahlungsabwickler, die spanische Zentralbank, angewiesen, Ihnen eine Bestätigung der Zahlungsanweisung zu senden.
ZAHLUNGSMÖGLICHKEIT: (A) BANKÜBERWEISUNG (B) BARSCHECK (C) ATM-KARTE
Wir möchten Sie informieren, dass das Büro des nicht Beanspruchten Preisgeldes in Spanien, unsere Anwaltskanzlei ernannt hat, als gesetzliche Berater zu handeln, in der Verarbeitung und der Zahlung eines Preisgeldes, das auf Ihrem Namen gutgeschrieben wurde, und nun seit über zwei Jahren nicht beansprucht wurde.
Der Gesamtbetrag der ihnen zusteht beträgt momentan €1.540.220,00 EUROS
Alle Teilnehmer wurden nach dem Zufallsprinzip von der World Wide Website ausgewählt, indem ihre Namen und E-Mail-Adressen mithilfe eines Computersystems von mehr als 100.000 Unternehmen auf der Website der Welt extrahiert wurden. Wir möchten sie darauf hinweisen, dass die Lotterie Gesellschaft überprüfen und bestätigen wird ob ihre Identität übereinstimmt bevor ihnen ihr Geld ausbezahlt wird
Im Laufe unserer Untersuchung haben wir mit Bestürzung erfahren, dass Ihre Zahlung unnötigerweise durch korrupte Bankangestellte verzögert wurde, die versuchten, Ihr Geld auf ihre Privatkonten umzuleiten. Wir möchten Sie darüber informieren, dass Ihre nicht eingeforderte Zahlung in Höhe von €1.540.220,00 (Eine Million Fünfhundertvierzigtausend Zweihundertzwanzig Euro) Ihr Geld war noch bei unserer Zentralbank hier in Spanien hinterlegt und wir werden sie beraten wie sie ihren Anspruch geltend machen.Bitte setztzen sie sich dafuer mit unserer Deutsch Sprachigen Rechtsanwaeltin in Verbindung JOSE FERNANDO (TEL/FAX: +34-687-173-102) E-MAIL:- josefernandoconsultant@gmail.com Senden Sie ihm die folgenden Informationen für die Zahlung.
Wir wurden von der spanischen Zentralbank angewiesen, Ihnen das gewonnene Preisgeld schnellstmöglich auszuzahlen. 1.540.220€ = Eine Million Fünfhundertvierzigtausend Zweihundertzwanzig Euro.
Wir entschuldigen uns aufrichtig für die Unannehmlichkeiten, die Ihnen in den letzten Jahren entstanden sind.
Vielen Dank für die Einhaltung dieser Anweisung und noch einmal Glückwünsche.
Wir empfehlen Ihnen, Ihre folgenden Informationen unten erneut zu bestätigen und unseren Anweisungen unverzüglich Folge zu leisten;
Bitte füllen Sie Das form und E-mail es mit Kopie Ihres Reisepasses Oder Personalausweise Sofort zur für Bestätigung und den Prozess
ZAHLUNGSMÖGLICHKEIT: (A) BANKÜBERWEISUNG (B) BARSCHECK (C) ATM-KARTE
(BANKDATEN SIND NUR ERFORDERLICH, WENN SIE DIE ÜBERWEISUNG AUSGEWÄHLT HABEN
(1).VOLLSTÄNDIGER NAME: ___
(2). GEBURTSDATUM: ___
(3). ADRESSE: ___ LAND: ___
(4). TELEFON: ___ MOBIL:___
(5). BERUF: ___ (6). EMAIL ___
(7). BEITRÄGE: ___ (8). REFERENZ NR: ___
(9). BANK NAME: ___ KONTONUMMER: ___ BANKLEITZAHL: ___
Mit freundlichen Grüßen,
MIGUEL GONZALEZ
GESCHÄFTSFÜHRER
Appearance of the "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" spam email (GIF):
Screenshot of the file attached to this spam email ("INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE.pdf"):
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Quick menu:
- What is "INTERNATIONALE SPANISCHE ONLINE-LOTTERIE" phishing email?
- 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?
Even if they include details relevant to the recipients, spam emails are not personal. This mail is distributed in mass-scale campaigns – therefore, thousands of users receive identical emails.
I have provided my personal information when tricked by this spam email, what should I do?
If you have provided private information, such as ID card details, passport scans/photos, credit card numbers, or similar – immediately contact the corresponding authorities. And if you've disclosed your log-in credentials – change the passwords of all possibly compromised accounts and inform their official support without delay.
I have read a spam email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?
No, reading an email will not trigger any malware download/installation processes. Systems are infected when malicious attachments or links are opened/clicked.
I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a spam email, is my computer infected?
If the opened malicious file was an executable (.exe, .run, etc.) – most likely, yes – your device was compromised. However, you might have avoided this if it was a document (.doc, .xls, .pdf, .one, etc.) since these formats can require additional actions to jumpstart malware download/installation chains (e.g., enabling macro commands, clicking embedded content, etc.).
Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections present in email attachments?
Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and eliminate nearly all known malware infections. It must be stressed that since sophisticated malicious software typically hides deep within systems – running a complete system scan is crucial.
Outstanding!
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