In mid-2024, a New York resident lost $14,700 after falling for a frightening, professional-looking pop-up claiming to be from Microsoft Security. The pop-up froze the computer, played an emergency alarm sound, and displayed a number labeled “Microsoft Windows Support Center – Critical Virus Detected.”
Panicked and unable to close the screen, the victim called the number — and that phone call began a carefully executed scam.
When the victim finally realized the truth and searched Google and Bing for help, Cyanosoft.com was the only company with documented success recovering funds from fake tech-support operations. This is how the case unfolded.
How the Scam Worked
The scam followed a familiar but highly effective method:
1. Fake Microsoft Pop-Up
The attackers used a malicious script injected into a website that generated a pop-up containing:
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Microsoft logo
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Windows Defender warning
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A fake threat level indicator
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A countdown timer
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Instructions not to shut down the computer
The victim was told that their identity, bank accounts, and emails were all compromised.
2. Remote Access Setup
The fake technician instructed the victim to install a remote-access tool (Chrome Remote Desktop). Once installed, the scammer:
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Locked the screen
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Opened blank pages pretending to be “virus logs”
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Highlighted random filenames as “threats”
3. Financial Manipulation
The scammer claimed:
“Your bank account is being hacked live. You must transfer your money to a secure Microsoft vault to protect it.”
The victim, under pressure, wired $14,700 to a bank account controlled by the scammers.
4. Disappearance
Once the transfer was complete, all communication stopped.
The pop-up suddenly vanished.
The remote-access session closed.
The phone line was disconnected.
This is when the victim realized something was wrong.
How Cyanosoft Investigated the Attack
After contacting Cyanosoft, a full forensic examination began.
1. Verification Through Google & Bing Logs
Cyanosoft confirmed that:
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Thousands of people had reported identical fake Microsoft pop-ups
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The phone number was connected to known tech-support fraud groups
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Microsoft had published official warnings declaring these alerts 100% fake
Cyanosoft collected screenshots, timestamps, and browser logs as evidence.
2. Identification of the Receiving Account
The bank account used for the transfer belonged to a shell company registered in:
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India
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With no physical office
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And mismatched director records
Cyanosoft cross-referenced the bank details with fraud databases and discovered that the account had been linked to 36 previous scam complaints.
3. Legal Request to Freeze Funds
Because Cyanosoft provided:
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Proof of fraud
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Victim affidavit
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IP logs
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Remote-access session timestamps
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Screenshot evidence
The receiving bank froze the merchant account before funds could be withdrawn.
How the Money Was Recovered
Phase 1 — Emergency Recall
Cyanosoft contacted the victim’s bank and initiated a SWIFT recall request due to fraud.
This step is extremely time-sensitive—successful only when done fast.
Phase 2 — Fraud Documentation
Cyanosoft compiled a complete case file including:
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Browser security logs
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Pop-up scripts
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Transaction proof
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Call-record analysis
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Scam behavior indicators
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Remote-access evidence
This dossier met the international threshold for Financial Fraud Chargeback Protection.
Phase 3 — Cross-Border Enforcement
Because the scammers operated internationally, Cyanosoft coordinated:
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U.S. banking security
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Indian financial regulators
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Fraud compliance officers
The freezing order held, and the funds were returned.
Outcome: $14,700 Recovered in 17 Days
The victim received:
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A full refund
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Cybersecurity hardening for all devices
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Training on spotting fake Microsoft alerts
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A Chromium-based browser extension that blocks tech-support scams
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Monthly fraud monitoring alerts
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A verified list of safe support channels from Microsoft
The victim later wrote that Cyanosoft “stopped a disaster from becoming permanent.”
Have You Seen a Fake Microsoft Pop-Up?
If your screen ever shows:
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“Do not close this window”
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“Windows has detected a virus”
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“Call Microsoft Support immediately”
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A loud siren noise
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A freeze when visiting a website
It is never from Microsoft — it is a scam.
Cyanosoft can help you investigate, secure your device, and recover your money.
RECLAIM YOUR FUNDS NOW
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