WARNING: Pettable Malware Scam Cost Me $10K

Question

WARNING: Pettable Malware Scam Cost Me $10K

David My 5

Hi everyone,

I wanted to share a serious security issue I recently experienced so others can avoid the same mistake.

A contact named “Pettable” shared a file with me. When I clicked on it, it installed malware on my Windows computer. This malware accessed my credit card details, and unfortunately, I lost $10,000 from my bank account as a result.

I’m sharing this to caution others: never open files from untrusted sources, even if they appear to come from friends. Always verify files and scan them with antivirus software before opening.

I’ve reported this to my bank and local authorities and am taking steps to secure my accounts. If anyone has advice on recovering lost funds or strengthening computer security after an incident like this, I’d appreciate your insights.

Stay safe online, everyone.

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Answer 1

Dear David My,

"First of all thanks for sharing to the community for the purpose of helping others. and Yes, I can't trust any thing I see or read anymore with explicit checks and without urgency and with my full mind concentration"

Since you’ve already contacted your bank, the key follow-ups are:

Formally dispute the transactions in writing (not just phone support)
Ask if they can initiate a fraud investigation / chargeback
Request account freeze or replacement account number

"If the payment was via card, bank transfer, or digital wallet, the recovery path differs. but banks can sometimes reverse unauthorized transactions if reported quickly"

**Assume the computer is fully compromised "**the system is not trustworthy anymore"

Do NOT reuse that Windows installation
Back up only essential personal files (documents, photos)
Then perform full OS reinstall or better factory reset with full drive wipe

Secure all accounts (do this from a different clean device not affected ones)

From a known-safe phone or computer: Change passwords for every account you use, Enable 2FA (authenticator app preferred over SMS), Sign out of all sessions/devices in account security settings

All I want from you is to keep fighting to restore your cash even if it's failed (at least you did your best). Additionally, you can report to (https://reportfraud.microsoft.com/) for the case and mention:
[timestamps, screenshots, transaction IDs, links, any information]

Adding to that you can report it on many security platforms including your country specific ones (if it had one).

Good Luck,

I hope you come back here with the good News!!!!! don't' loose hope even with only 1$ (it's yours).

He will never get away from this.

Best of Luck again,

Mustafa Salah.