In the past two days I have seen the same infection hit two different computer users. The infection causes a fake message to be displayed on your screen. The message appears to be from the FBI, but when you start to look at it you can easily tell it is fake. The message displays a way for you to send payment using Greendot MoneyPak.
Greendot MoneyPak can be found at Walmart, CVS, Kmart, 7 Eleven, and Walgreens. It is a payment system where you fund a card similar to a credit card. This scam wants you to pay $200 to unblock your computer because you have been identified as a copyright infringer by the FBI.
The infection blocks access to the rest of your computer and even incorporates your built in web cam on the computer to scare you into thinking you are being spied on. The use of MoneyPak is similar to the use of Moneygram, and Western Union in the past to send money to scammers. If you get hit with the FBI MoneyPak infection there are ways to clean yourself up. There are “how to” guides on the INTERNET as long as you have access to another computer to do this.
If you still need help and live in the Grand Rapids area give me a call and I will take care of this infection for you. Typically this costs around the $80-$100 to have removed along with a complete system tune-up.
Below is a picture of a computer that has been infected with the FBI Greendot MoneyPak virus. Notice the small window showing the web cam enabled.
fbi_greendot_moneypak infection
**Update**
Ok. I have received phone calls from all over the U.S. about how to remove this virus. In a nutshell hop on a different computer and Google “FBI Greendot removal”. There are quite a few videos and “how to’s” on how to remove this infection. You may need a USB drive so you can gather programs and utilities to walk over to the infected computer.
I’ve got a computer that just scared the heck out of my 12 year old son as he was looking up info on some lizard eggs that he found. It scared me too, who wouldn’t be. It’s not our same IP address and we don’t have a webcam. I tried to call the fbi to find out what the deal is. couldnt get through.
thanks to the other computers working, I thought maybe this was some scam. then I googled it and it turns out it is! Somebody hacked big time and should be prosecuted!
I HAVE THE SAME EXPERIENCE HERE ….MAY ASK HOW YOU REMOVED THE VIRUS?
THANK YOU
GERALD EVANS
There are videos on youtube as well as “how to’s on the net.
Hello, I did recive this message on my computer today, any idea how to remove?
Thamk you
Cody
There are videos on youtube as well as “how to’s on the net. Search Google and you will find them all.
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I had the same issue. An easy temporary fix is to Restart and press f8 repeatedly. Than go to safe mode. Once windows is in safe mode, go to your control panel and figure out how to dial your computer back to the latest Restore Point. This will at least allow you some access, however, you will want to find the appropriate virus scan afterwards through the youtube videos.
if u have norton 360 call them they just fixed mine thank god
Well… I guess Norton deserves to fix it if you are paying them every year. There are ways to fix this besides calling and involving Norton.
To those that have suffered with this “Green Dot FBI” scam, here is a way to retore your computer, then find a way to remove the virus.
Set you “System Restore” to place a restore poing every day at a time your sure you’ll not be using it (I have set mine for 3am every day). You can then start Windows in “Safe Mode” (I recomend “Safe Mode without networking”) and then, using system restore, restore your computer to what ever restore point you want.
Further, I think if everyone contacts “Green Dot” and threatens civil legal action, then Green Dot will do everything it can to end this scam (after all, since the money is going through them they should be able to tell who the money is going to). I also recomend that everyone contact the FBI and demand they do something about this (like INVESTIGATE), after all that is what they are paid to do.
Hope this helps.
I just lost $200.00 on this scam…and my computer is locked tighter then a drum…….
I used tool from here
http://hands-oncorp.com/2012/10/10/remove-fbi-green-dot-moneypak-viruslocker-covering-any-variety/
but it doesn’t help. It removed it, but in 2 days this ransomware comed back.
I downloaded malwarebytes and used your instructions and seems it gone. Thanks
Some ridiculous hacker interrupted my important homework online with this stupid screen, I will make them pay for this job sense advertisement they should be ashamed.
We have one just like this, but the screen is black and is supposedly from the Cyber Defense something. I called them and left a message, and what do you know, no reply.