Beware of the 'PayPal - Order Has Been Completed' Email Scam

Upon investigation, we found out that the email titled "PayPal - Order Has Been Completed" is a spam message. This email pretends to be a purchase notification from PayPal, attempting to deceive recipients into calling a provided helpline number and subsequently falling for the scam.

It is essential to note that this email is not related to PayPal Holdings, Inc. in any way.

The spam email is presented as a purchase confirmation and claims that the recipient has bought 756 USD worth of Bitcoin cryptocurrency at an exchange rate of 0.000043 USD/BTC through PayPal. The email warns the recipient that if they do not recognize the purchase, they must call the given number to block the transfer of Bitcoins, emphasizing that Bitcoin transactions are irreversible.

As previously stated, this email is fraudulent and not associated with PayPal Holdings, Inc. The email serves as a callback scam, which is notorious for its versatility. The actions that scammers can trick victims into doing under the guise of support can differ significantly.

Scams associated with purchases usually operate as refund or technical support scams. Cybercriminals typically ask victims to allow them to access their devices remotely through software such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, or UltraViewer. Once they gain access, the scammers can remove genuine security tools, install fake anti-viruses, steal data, and even infect the system with malware such as trojans, ransomware, or cryptocurrency miners.

In refund scams, the scammers remotely connect to the victim's device and ask them to sign into their online banking accounts, such as PayPal. The scammers use the remote access software to darken the victim's screen and then ask the victim to enter the refund amount.

During this time, the cybercriminals manipulate the HTML code of the banking website or transfer funds between accounts, such as from savings to checking. These methods do not actually affect the funds; however, the victim is shown a larger sum has been transferred when the screen becomes visible again.

The scammers then plead or demand that the victim return the excess amount. Since no transaction has occurred, the victim sends their own money to the criminals by attempting to return the "excess."

To transfer funds without detection, scammers prefer methods such as cryptocurrencies, gift cards, pre-paid vouchers, or cash hidden in seemingly innocent packages that are shipped. Moreover, since the "PayPal - Order Has Been Completed" email mentions Bitcoins, it is possible that the spam message aims to steal victims' cryptocurrency wallets.

What Are the Top Three Signs That an Email is a Scam?

  • Urgency or Threats: Scammers often create a sense of urgency or fear to get the recipient to act quickly without thinking. They might threaten legal action, account suspension, or some other consequence if you don't respond immediately.
  • Suspicious Links or Attachments: Scammers might include links or attachments in the email that, when clicked or downloaded, can install malware on your device or direct you to a fake website that looks like a legitimate one. These links and attachments are usually disguised as something innocent like a receipt, invoice, or shipping notification.
  • Poor Grammar and Spelling: Many scam emails are sent by non-native English speakers or automated systems, resulting in grammar and spelling mistakes. If an email is riddled with typos and grammatical errors, it is likely a scam.

It's important to note that these are not the only signs of a scam email, and scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated in their methods. It's always a good idea to be cautious when opening emails, especially if they are from unfamiliar senders or contain unexpected content.

February 22, 2023
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