“Cooperation Offer/Hacked Websites” Phishing Scam

The “Cooperation Offer” / “You Visited Some Hacked Websites With Exploit” scam is a phony sextortion email designed to frighten recipients into paying a Bitcoin ransom. These emails falsely claim your device was infected via hacked websites, your webcam and microphone were accessed, and compromising footage has been recorded. The attacker demands approximately $1,290 in BTC within 48 hours—an urgent and bogus threat intended to pressure victims.

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Threat Overview

Category	Details
Threat type	Phishing / Sextortion Scam
Associated email	Often generic (“Cooperation Offer”)—sender unknown
Detection names	Not malware—they’re psychological/social engineering attacks
Symptoms	Increased anxiety, fear of blackmail, unsolicited ransom emails
Damage	Potential financial loss, emotional distress, privacy invasion
Distribution methods	Mass email spamming, search-engine poisoning, malicious links
Danger level	High psychological risk, but no actual hacking or malware infection
Removal tool	SpyHunter – Download here to scan and remove any real malware

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Email Text Example

Subject: Cooperation Offer

Hello!
As you can see, this is not a formal email, and unfortunately, it does not mean anything good for you.
BUT do not despair, it is not critical. I am going to explain to you everything right now.

I have access to your electronic devices, which are the part of the local network you regularly use.
I have been tracking your activity for the last few months.

How did that happen?
You visited some hacked websites with Exploit, and your device was exposed to my malicious software (I bought it in Darknet from specialists in this field).
This is a very complex software, operating as Trojan Horse. It updates regularly, and your antivirus can not detect it.
The program has a keylogger; it can turn your camera and microphone on and off, send files and provide access to your local network.

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Detailed Evaluation

How I Got Targeted

Scammers often send these emails in bulk, relying on leaked password or email data from public breaches. They may include an old password to appear credible, but there is no actual device intrusion—it is purely intimidation.

What the Scam Does

• Claims to have installed malware via compromised websites
• Alleges webcam/mic recording of private activities
• Demands payment via Bitcoin for “cooperation”
  These are fabricated threats. There is no proof you were hacked. Scammers rely on psychological fear, not actual access to your systems.

Should You Worry?

No. If:

• You never clicked any suspicious links
• You have not downloaded unknown attachments
  Then your system likely has not been compromised. Even if the email displays an old password, that is typically from a data breach—not a real-time hack.

This scam pattern is well-known. It is a manipulation tactic based on fear rather than a real cybersecurity breach.

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What to Do Next

1. Do not pay the ransom—there is no actual threat
2. Delete the email immediately
3. Change any old leaked passwords, especially those exposed in data breaches
4. Run a full malware scan with SpyHunter to ensure no real infection is present
5. Enable two-factor authentication and use unique passwords via a password manager
6. Ignore future threats and report the email as phishing

Manual Removal Guide: How to Identify and Remove Email Scams Yourself

Step 1: Recognizing Scam Emails

Before taking action, learn to identify email scams. Some common red flags include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly (e.g., “Your account will be suspended!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling Mistakes: Many scam emails contain grammatical errors.
• Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover over links to check if they lead to an unusual website before clicking.
• Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details via email.

Step 2: Avoid Interacting with Scam Emails

If an email appears suspicious:

• Do NOT click on any links.
• Do NOT download attachments.
• Do NOT reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

Reporting scam emails helps prevent others from falling victim to them:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” in your email client.
• FTC (U.S. users): Report scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: Report phishing sites at Google’s Phishing Report.

Step 4: Block the Sender

To prevent further scam emails from the same sender:

• Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
• Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
• Yahoo Mail: Click “More” > “Block Sender”.

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Compromise

If you’ve interacted with a scam email:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords.
• Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Adds an extra security layer.
• Monitor your banking transactions for suspicious activity.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded a file, scan your system for malware:

• Windows Users (Windows Defender)
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users
  • Use security software like Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for threats.

Step 7: Strengthen Email Security

• Enable spam filtering in your email provider’s settings.
• Use a third-party spam filter such as Spamihilator or Mailwasher.
• Stay educated on phishing techniques to avoid falling for scams in the future.

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SpyHunter Removal Guide: Automated Solution for Email Scam Threats

SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, Trojans, spyware, and other cyber threats. If you prefer a quick and automated solution, follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click “Download” and save the file.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
3. SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
2. Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
3. Restart your computer after removal.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

• Activate SpyHunter’s Active Guards for real-time malware protection.
• Schedule regular system scans for ongoing security.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly update SpyHunter to detect new threats.
• To update, go to "Settings" > "Update" and click "Check for Updates".

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How to Prevent Future Email Scams

To avoid falling for email scams in the future, follow these precautions:

Use a Secure Email Provider

Consider using encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced security.

Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links

Always verify links before clicking by hovering over them to see the actual URL.

Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi

Scammers can intercept your data on public networks. Use a VPN for secure browsing.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

Install Anti-Phishing Browser Extensions

Use security extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing attempts.

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Email scams pose a significant risk to personal and financial security. By following this manual removal guide, you can effectively identify and remove scam emails. For those seeking a fast and automated approach, SpyHunter provides a reliable solution to detect and remove email scam-related threats.

Take Action Now

Protect your device from scam-related malware with SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter

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Conclusion

The “Cooperation Offer” sextortion scam is a fraudulent attempt to scare users into paying ransoms. These emails are sent en masse, often containing leaked details like usernames or old passwords to induce panic—but there is no real malware or hacking involved. Ignore the threats, delete the email, secure your accounts, and use SpyHunter to verify your system’s integrity. Stay safe by relying on verified security software and maintaining good password hygiene.