Remove “Confirm YouTube Partner Program Monetization” Scam

The “YouTube Partner Program Monetization Update” scam is a phishing campaign designed to steal YouTube account credentials by deceiving content creators. This scam, active since January 2024, lures victims through spam emails that claim an urgent policy change requires immediate confirmation. Victims are directed to a fraudulent AI-generated video of YouTube CEO Neal Mohan, which contains a phishing link in its description.

Clicking the link leads to a fake YouTube login page, where entering credentials results in stolen accounts. These hijacked accounts are often used for crypto scams, fraud, and further phishing attacks. This scam is not affiliated with YouTube or its parent company, Google LLC.

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How the YouTube Partner Program Monetization Scam Works

1. Spam Emails: The scam starts with emails alerting users of an update to YouTube’s monetization policies.
2. AI-Generated Video: The email links to a private AI-generated video featuring a fake Neal Mohan announcing changes to YouTube’s monetization system.
3. Fake Policy Agreement Link: The video’s description contains a phishing link asking users to confirm agreement to the new YouTube Partner Program (YPP) terms.
4. Credential Theft: Clicking the link opens a fake YouTube login page, where credentials are harvested.
5. Final Deception: After signing in, users are redirected to another page claiming their channel is now pending and directing them to download a document for more information.

Once credentials are stolen, scammers gain full control of the YouTube account, potentially using it for cryptocurrency scams, fraud, or blackmail.

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Threat Summary

Category	Details
Name	YouTube Partner Program Monetization Update Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	YouTube requires confirmation of new monetization policies
Disguise	Fake email notifications & AI-generated video
Detection Names	ESTsecurity (Malicious), Fortinet (Phishing), more on VirusTotal
Related Domains	studio.youtube-plus[.]com
Serving IP	104.21.41.161
Distribution Methods	Spam emails, phishing websites, rogue pop-up ads, possibly compromised sites
Symptoms	Unauthorized access to YouTube accounts, loss of control over the account, videos or profile changes
Damage	Stolen private information, potential financial loss, identity theft, risk of malware infections
Danger Level	High

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What Happens to Stolen Accounts?

Once scammers hijack a YouTube account, they can:

• Delete or modify videos
• Lock the original owner out of their account
• Livestream cryptocurrency scams
• Use the account to distribute malware
• Sell the account on the dark web

Victims who have entered their credentials on the fake website should immediately reset their password and contact YouTube support to regain control.

How to Manually Identify and Remove Email Scams

Manually removing email scams involves recognizing fraudulent messages, securing your accounts, and taking precautions to prevent future attacks. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Identify Suspicious Emails

Before taking action, you need to identify scam emails. Common signs include:

• Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
• Urgency or Threats: Scammers often pressure you to act immediately (e.g., “Your account will be closed in 24 hours!”).
• Poor Grammar & Spelling: Many scam emails contain obvious grammatical mistakes.
• Suspicious Links & Attachments: Hover over links (without clicking) to check the actual URL. If it looks odd, don’t click.
• Requests for Personal Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for passwords, Social Security numbers, or credit card details via email.

Step 2: Do Not Click Links or Download Attachments

If you suspect an email is a scam:

• Do not click on any links.
• Do not open any attachments.
• Do not reply to the sender.

Step 3: Report the Email Scam

You can report the scam email to various authorities:

• Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click the “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” button in your email client.
• FTC (Federal Trade Commission, USA): Report to FTC Complaint Assistant.
• Google Safe Browsing: If the scam email contains a phishing website, report it here.

Step 4: Block the Sender

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

Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Unauthorized Activity

If you accidentally clicked a link or shared sensitive information:

• Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords for every account.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA). This adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
• Check your banking statements for unauthorized transactions.

Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware

Some email scams contain malware hidden in attachments or malicious links. Run a full system scan using built-in tools:

• Windows Defender (Windows 10/11):
  • Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
  • Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
• Mac Users:
  • Use Malwarebytes for Mac or another security tool.

Step 7: Adjust Your Email Security Settings

• Enable email filtering to reduce spam and phishing emails.
• Add a third-party spam filter such as Mailwasher or Spamihilator.
• Educate yourself and others on phishing techniques to avoid future scams.

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How to Remove Email Scams Using SpyHunter (Automated Method)

For users who prefer an automated, foolproof method to remove threats linked to email scams, SpyHunter offers an advanced security solution. SpyHunter is an anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, spyware, Trojans, and other cyber threats. Follow these steps:

Step 1: Download SpyHunter

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click on “Download” and save the installation file to your computer.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Locate the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe) and double-click to open it.
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. After installation, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and navigate to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin a deep scan of your system.
3. SpyHunter will analyze files, registry entries, and processes for any threats linked to email scams, phishing, and malware.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. Once the scan completes, SpyHunter will list all detected threats.
2. Click “Fix Threats” to remove them.
3. Restart your computer to complete the removal process.

Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection

SpyHunter includes real-time protection features to help prevent future infections:

• Enable Active Guards: This monitors your system for malware in real time.
• Schedule Automatic Scans: Set up periodic scans to detect new threats early.

Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated

• Regularly check for updates to ensure SpyHunter detects the latest threats.
• To update SpyHunter, open the app and go to “Settings” > “Update”, then click “Check for Updates”.

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Preventing Future Email Scams

Now that you’ve removed email scams, take proactive steps to prevent them in the future:

Use a Secure Email Provider

• Consider switching to a secure email provider like ProtonMail or Tutanota, which offer advanced encryption.

Be Cautious with Email Links

• If you receive an email with a suspicious link, verify the website’s legitimacy before clicking.

Avoid Public Wi-Fi for Sensitive Activities

• Scammers can use public Wi-Fi to intercept your data. Use a VPN when accessing email on public networks.

Regularly Change Your Passwords

• Update your passwords every few months, and never reuse old passwords.

Use Anti-Phishing Extensions

• Install browser extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing links in real-time.

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Email scams are a serious cyber threat that can lead to financial loss, identity theft, or malware infections. By following the manual removal steps, you can effectively identify and remove suspicious emails on your own. However, for advanced protection, using SpyHunter ensures a more thorough and automated approach to detecting and removing phishing-related threats.

Recommended Action

For a fast and efficient way to remove email scams and related malware, download and install SpyHunter now: Download SpyHunter

By staying informed and proactive, you can protect yourself from future email scams and online threats!

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This scam poses serious risks to YouTube creators. Awareness and caution can help prevent account theft and financial loss. If you receive such emails, always verify directly on YouTube’s official website before taking any action.