[caption id="attachment_81444" align="aligncenter" width="624"] E-mail from NICE Seeks to Steal Bank Account Info
[/caption]Cyber-thieves have found a novel way to install special malware designed to purloin bank account information from unsuspecting users: inform them they may have cancer and request they download a special form. The download process installs the virus (also known as a Trojan virus) and starts the work of identity theft. What makes the e-mail seem credible is that it appears to be addressed from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).

Obviously, NICE would not send a random notice to people with a subject line of "important blood analysis result" in such an informal manner. NICE Chief Executive Sir Andrew Dillon has issued a public warning that the organization has nothing to do with e-mails and to avoid viewing the "form". As per the tech security firm AppRiver, the form installs the ZeuS virus which is designed specifically to steal bank account information.

The e-mail contains a zip file prefixed with "CBC_Result_". The file name is then followed by random numbers.

A review of the contents has the appearance of a PDF file, but it is really the virus' installer with a PDF-look-a-like icon. NICE is investigating the incident and hopes to track down the perps behind this elaborate public bunko. Needless to say, anyone concerned about their health should contact their physician.

the email reads: "We have been sent a sample of your blood analysis for further research. During the complete blood count (CBC) we have revealed that white blood cells is very low, and unfortunately, we have a suspicion of a cancer.

"We suggest you print out your CBC test results and interpretations in attachment below and visit your family doctor as soon as possible.

"Sincerely, Dr Clemons Lupe."

Reports are that some people in Shetland have been particularly distressed by the sheer act of facing their mortality. If this e-mail were a mere hoax it would be cruel enough, but thieves actually aim to disrupt a person's livelihood by gaining access to their savings.

Here's the official warning from NICE:

A spam email has been sent out to a number of email addresses informing recipients about a cancer diagnosis.
NICE is advising people who have received the email - the subject line of which is important blood analysis result - to delete it without opening it and not to click on any links.
We are currently investigating the origins of the message.
Sir Andrew Dillon, NICE Chief Executive: “A spam email purporting to come from NICE is being sent to members of the public regarding cancer test results. This email is likely to cause distress to recipients since it advises that ‘test results' indicate they may have cancer. This malicious email is not from NICE and we are currently investigating its origin. We take this matter very seriously and have reported it to the police.”

Updates will be made on the website during the day and also via Twitter: @NICEComms

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Source:
Scam emails tell people they have cancer to trick them into installing a money-stealing Trojan
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2014/03/14/sick_cancer_scare_malware_scam/

Spam email send out
http://www.nice.org.uk/newsroom/news/SpamEmailSentOut.jsp

Cancer email scam
http://www.shetnews.co.uk/newsbites/8150-cancer-email-scam