Kryped LLC

Victim Location 47909

Total money lost $150

Type of a scam Tech Support

My computer had begun to get viruses on it a couple of months back. My husband and I decided to pretty much junk the computer eventually instead of putting money into repairing it because its a little over 4 years old. Well, we began to use it a little bit for coupons because our Windows Surface doesn’t print coupons and the virus was so bad that we couldn’t work with the computer at all. A web page popped up that looked a lot like a regular Microsoft Windows pngage. It looked legit. It was telling me that our computer was being hacked and we needed to call immediately and have them run a diagnostic test on it. I didn’t think twice, honestly. The pngage looked so real and I thought maybe my husband had some sort of antivirus software for Microsoft that sent us a message when our computer needed repairing. Sounds like I am gullible, I know. But believe me, I am not one to fall for things like this. I called the number and was transferred to a lady. She did the whole "Thank you for calling Microsoft support technician" deal and made it sound completely believable. She asked for details about the computer and I answered everything. She then told me she would need to have access to my computer to see what threats are on it and what they can do to fix it. When she finally got access, she went through and showed me the exact threats… there was more than 19,000 threats on my computer! I was in shock. She said that they can charge $149.00 to completely take it off and give us an antivirus software for a lifetime on the computer, which I later found out that this deal was similar to that of a real deal made by Microsoft. I agreed and did the worst thing I could have done, I gave her my credit card information. I was then transferred to a guy who greeted me the same way. He began "working" on my computer immediately. Come to later find out, he took MOST of the viruses off but left behind a little something. He left software on my computer that was hidden from any Microsoft Rep. Well, he thought it was. They have seen them do it before so the real Microsoft Rep looked in plain site, on my desktop. He had planted a software that would allow him access to my computer whenever he felt like it. She deleted that first and then proceeded to look through the entire computer for any other bugs he may have left. She found a few and deleted those too. I hung up with her and called the bank. They had taken the 150 out and it had another $1 fee out. We believe they were attempting to take another large sum of money out. The $150 came out immediately after I gave them my info. I canceled my card and then changed all of my personal information for my account. After all was said and done, I received a phone call from the guy who hacked my computer and he left me a voicemail. He said he had received a phone call from me and he was calling me back. I did call him the night before because I was still having problems with my computer. When I had called them, an alarm went off in my head. It was a weird sounding lady saying that all technicians were away for the night and to call back tomorrow. I left a voicemail for him with hopes he would call back and leave a voicemail. I didn’t think they could really do much with the voicemail but it gave me hope. I knew something was wrong then. The next day, my husband let my friend know and our friend (who works for a bank) told us to call Microsoft immediately. He said that he has had a couple people come in a say this has happened to them as well. I called Microsoft and they informed me that these people are using a lot of the same things they are. It is completely believable. The same Rep IM Microsoft uses, the same access software they use, and the same information they give you over the phone. Microsoft really charges you $149 for a complete clean out but it only covers one year and you can’t just call one number and reach a certain guy. Also, Microsoft will never contact you. There was some small differences in the programs they had, but not much. Their "company" name is called KRYPED LLC and their phone number is 1-844-775-8380 which will lead you to a guy who calls himself Richard Brown. That is not his real name, I assume. When the "Microsoft" IM popped up, it said "Eric is now connect" and when I asked him, he said he was working with another technician. I could smack myself for falling for that one. He said that they are based out of India and that they work along side Microsoft. I know now, its a lie. I hope my story helps another family from going through this.