Fake 1200 EUR bonus prize email with PDF

What happens

An email claims the receiver has won a 1200 EUR bonus and urges them to press a Registration button and open an attached PDF. The aim is to steal personal and bank details or install harmful software.

Warning signs

• Prize you never entered The email says you won a 'special prize' and 1200 EUR, but gives no contest name and you did not enter anything.
• Strange sender address It comes from a Russian-style address about 'vpn-manager', which has nothing to do with prizes or any real company in Latvia.
• Unknown PDF attachment A file called 'v2cd.pdf' is attached for no clear reason, and such files can hide harmful links or software.
• Pushy 'Registration' button It tells you to register and log in to 'activate a bonus package', which is how scammers collect your details or money.
• Vague, odd wording The greeting is generic, the language is clumsy, and the button text is spelled without Latvian letters ('Registracija').

How this scam works

1. You get an email saying you won a prize or bonus you never applied for.
2. You are told to click a button to register and 'activate' the money.
3. The website asks for personal details, bank card numbers or a deposit or 'fee'.
4. The PDF or website may also try to install harmful software or steal your passwords.
5. The criminals use your details to take money from you, and the promised prize never arrives.

What to do

1. Don't click the Registration button and don't open the PDF file. Don't reply either.
2. Take a screenshot to keep as proof, then report the email as spam or phishing in your email app.
3. Tell your family and friends about this email so they don't fall for it.
4. Delete the email and block the sender.

Details to watch for

Websites vpn-manager.ru

E-mails r•••@vpn-manager.ru

Amounts 1200 EUR

Scammers can fake real names, numbers and logos. A number shown here may belong to an innocent person whose identity was misused.