Scamers on this forum.

Hello everyone, please be cautious of scammers on this forum. I received a message from a user named "auilopafykik21" who claimed:

"We were recently infected with the same ransomware and managed to recover our files thanks to a team of cybersecurity experts on YouTube. Here is their YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@RansomwareRescue/videos"

I found a Telegram and an email contact on the YouTube channel, but it turned out they were just scammers. I paid them money for a decryption tool, but I never received it. After you pay an initial amount (X$), they demand more money (Y$), and if you comply, they keep asking for more.

Please be careful with this.

All assistance provided at Bleeping Computer is free of charge...there is no requirement to make a donation or pay a fee. None of our volunteer staff or experts will contact you via PM or email asking for money in order to decrypt your files. That includes the download and use of any decryption tools created by our Security Colleagues. Unfortunately, scammers, data recovery services and sometimes even the malware developers have been known to visit our forums and occasionally post comments or contact victims in private in an attempt to get them to pay a fee or the ransom demands in order to decrypt their data.
 
Bleeping Computer cannot vouch for those who claim they can decrypt data or help in other ways. Please read my comments in this topic for information as to what we know about those who claim they can decrypt data (including scammers, the criminals and data recovery services).
 
Ransomware victims should ignore all Internet web searches which provide numerous links to bogus and untrustworthy ransomware removal guides, including Facebook and YouTube videos, many of which falsely claim to have decryption solutions. After expert researchers write about a new ransomware or new variants, junk articles with misinformation are quickly written in order to scare, goad or trick desperate victims into using or purchasing mostly sham removal and decryption software. Victims may be directed to download a multitude of unnecessary and useless tools. In some cases, unsuspecting victims may actually be downloading a fake decryptor resulting in double (multiple) encryptions that makes the situation even worst. Further, your personal and financial information are also at risk when dealing with scammers. Only use trusted sources when searching for information.
 
Ransomware victims should IGNORE, (not reply back, deal with or negotiate payments with) anyone who may contact them via Private Message (PM) on this forum or by email making claims they can decrypt your data. Any solicitation for donations or fees via email or PM should be reported to BC Moderators or Admin just as you have done.
 
The member who contacted you via PM has been banned.

Of course, I don't blame this forum or anyone else; I believe I am to blame myself. I just wanted to warn other users about this, because I understand that sometimes desperation in searching for a solution can make one less vigilant.

You are correct about desperation in searching for a solution can make one less vigilant.. That is why we want our members to report those who attempt to scam them on our forums so we can take the appropriate action to remove these shady characters who join just to take advantage of others.