FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus: what it is and how to remove it
Green Dot MoneyPak virus is malware that targets Windows computers and tries to extort money out of its victims. The malicious software displays a bogus message on the locked-up screen, which may look legitimate to inexperienced users.
Facts checked October 7, 2026. Removal steps tested on Windows 11 (26H2) and checked against Microsoft's and the browser makers' current documentation. Sections marked as our earlier report are the original text: they describe the threat as it was then and have not been reviewed since. The 2026 status, the removal steps and the questions are current.
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FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus: summary
| Detection names | No Microsoft detection name is known |
|---|---|
| Ransom note | Not named in our report; the text of the note is not in our records |
| Contact | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Encrypted file extension | Not recorded in our earlier report |
| Decryptor | No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates |
| Distribution | Not recorded in the old report |
| Removal | Scan the PC with security software to find and remove the malware and anything installed with it. Fortect scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. Remove it nowTo use the full-featured product, you have to purchase a license for Fortect. The scan is free. |
Show 8 more facts
| Damage | Not recorded in the old report |
|---|---|
| Name | FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus |
| Type | File-encrypting ransomware |
| Symptoms | An unknown program in Installed apps |
| Evidence | 5 write-ups by security sites; details still limited |
| Free decryptor | No free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026) |
| First seen | 12 June 2018 |
| Facts checked | 7 October 2026 |
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
More from our earlier report on FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus
- Green Dot Moneypak Virus, Moneypak virus
- Win32:Adware-gen Generic6.CBOZ Trojan.Amonetize.6373 Win32/Adware.OffersWizard.A application
- Locked up screen, no access to any Windows functions
- Spam emails, malicious sites, etc.
- Dear Customer, Please see attached invoice for $3150.
- The payment needs to be processed ASAP.
How FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus behaves
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus - is a fake message that tries to make users believe that they have to pay to the FBI
Green Dot MoneyPak virus is malware that targets Windows computers and tries to extort money out of its victims.
The malicious software displays a bogus message on the locked-up screen, which may look legitimate to inexperienced users. According to the fake instructions, the only way to unlock the machine is to pay up to the FBI - one of the major investigation agencies in the world.
Even entering Safe Mode with Networking would not get rid of the screen-locker; thus, users may be tempted to pay criminals using Green Dot MoneyPak service which allows the money transfer to remain anonymous.
The reason why computer gets locked up is due to Trojan Reveton. The Moneypak virus is deemed to be ransomware, as it holds computer hostage until the payment is made. However, typical ransomware, like Cerber, Locky or Dharma, locks up personal files instead of the computer and demands ransom for the decryption key.
Another major difference is that ransomware authors request payment in Bitcoins which can be transferred anonymously into a specific wallet. Nevertheless, the goal of both types of cyber crooks is the same - to steal money from victims.
Green Dot Moneypak virus spreads using contaminated file attachments, via malicious websites, or as repacked or cracked software executables. As soon as in enters the targeted machine, it makes certain changes to Windows Registry, allowing it to gain boot persistence. It also abuses Windows feature to hide file extensions. Nevertheless, the only way to remove FBI Green Dot Moneypak virus is by using a sophisticated anti-malware software, such as , or .
Residents of the USA should be particularly careful, as it affects users who live in that area. Nevertheless, users in Europe should be careful as well, as non-USA versions has been spotted - International Police Association (I.P.A.) ransomware, An Garda Siochana virus, Police Central e-crime Unit virus and others.
What makes this virus so believable, is that has an official FBI seal, the warning that the computer has been locked due to "violation of copyright law," a very detailed instructions (and also scary warnings - like three years prison sentence or huge fine) of what happened, and the IP address.
What is more, hackers warn users that the picture of their face was taken, if the camera is connected to the PC. Ok, sounds really scary.
But all you have to do is just calm down, think for a minute and realize that there is something wrong:
Warning: Thus, do not pay any fines, as it is a scam.
Furthermore, victims who pay do not regain the operation of their computers. Therefore, if your machine is locked, you need to perform full FBI Green Dot MoneyPak virus removal either by using security software or System Restore function.
- The FBI does not send personal emails or messages to regular users
- Even if you downloaded illegal software, you could not simply pay yourself off - there have to be official documents of the fine, etc.
- The FBI would not lock your computer out of the blue. In worst case scenario they would take it away physically
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
Ways to protect yourself from computer infections
Ransomware and other dangerous infections typically enter machines via contaminated spam email attachments or links to malicious sites.
Perpetrators use phishing emails sent by bots to convince users to open the attachment or click on the hyperlink. The example of a phishing email:
Crooks typically use well-known companies' names to make scams more believable. Nevertheless, look for grammar or spelling errors, strange formatting, email address, etc. Once you get to see more phishing email examples, it will be much easier to determine which message is fake.
The malicious payload can also enter your computer via fake software updates on questionable sites, malicious programs downloaded from file-sharing or torrent sites, social networks, messaging apps and similar. Finally, reputable security software should be employed at every machine which is connected to the internet.
The FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus ransom note
We did not record the full text of the ransom note in our report.
How to remove FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus
Tools you'll need
All of these are free except where noted. Download them on a clean device if the infected PC is offline.
- A USB stick: to keep the ransom note, two or three encrypted files and screenshots off the infected PC.
- Microsoft Defender Offline: built into Windows 11 and Windows 10; scans before Windows starts, so running malware cannot hide.
- Microsoft Safety Scanner: a second, portable scanner with current signatures; each download works for 10 days.
- ID Ransomware: identifies the family from the note and one encrypted file and says whether a decryptor exists.
- No More Ransom: the free decryptors from police and security companies; check it again every few months.
- Fortect (optional): scans Windows for malware and repairs the system files and settings it damaged. The free scan is in the box above.
How to remove FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus and get your files back
Work in this order.
Disconnecting comes first, removal comes before any restore, and nothing here asks you to contact the attackers.
Step 1: Disconnect the PC and unplug backup drives
Unplug the network cable or turn off Wi-Fi, and disconnect USB drives, external disks and network shares, so FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus cannot reach more files. Pause OneDrive, Google Drive or Dropbox sync, because synced folders upload the encrypted copies over the good ones.
Leave the PC on but offline while you read the next steps, since a restart can let the ransomware run again. This applies to Windows 11 and Windows 10 alike.
Windows 11: turn off Wi-Fi to take the PC offline. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 2: Save the ransom note and identify the family
The name of the family decides whether a free decryptor can help. Copy the ransom note and two small encrypted files to a USB stick, and check them on another device with ID Ransomware or Crypto Sheriff.
Note the extension added to the files, the contact address and the victim ID shown in the note. Keep the originals on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC untouched.
Windows 11: the ransom note and encrypted files to copy for identification. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 3: Check for a free decryptor
Our last check found that for FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus, no free decryptor is known (checked 7 October 2026). Look again yourself in the No More Ransom list and the free decryptor pages of Emsisoft, Avast and Kaspersky, which add new families every year.
A decryptor needs the ransomware gone first, or it encrypts the files again. Keep at least one copy of the encrypted files on an external drive, even if no tool works yet.
Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 4: Remove the ransomware before you restore or decrypt
Removing FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus does not bring the files back, but it has to come first. Start with Defender's Full scan, then the offline scan from the same Scan options page, which checks the disk before Windows loads.
If the scan cannot start, use Safe Mode with Networking. Delete the ransom notes only after you have saved a copy, because removal tools sometimes leave them behind on Windows 11 and Windows 10.
Windows 11: Windows Security > Virus & threat protection > Scan options. Full procedure with screenshots: Run a Microsoft Defender Offline scan
Step 5: Look for shadow copies of the files
Windows keeps shadow copies for restore points and backups, and some ransomware fails to delete them.
vssadmin list shadowsin an administrator Command Prompt tells you at once whether any exist.If they do, right-click the folder that held your files, open Properties > Previous Versions, select a version from before the attack, and click Open to check it before you Restore or copy the files out. Windows 11 and Windows 10 both have the tab.
Windows 11: vssadmin list shadows shows whether shadow copies exist. Full procedure with screenshots: Ransomware: first steps, finding a decryptor and recovering files
Step 6: Restore the files from a backup or recover deleted originals
A backup made before the attack is the surest way back. Connect it only once the PC is clean, then restore from File History, Windows Backup, OneDrive's Restore your OneDrive or your own external copies.
Without a backup, try file recovery: the originals that FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus deleted may still be on the disk until something overwrites them. Install nothing new on the drive you want to recover from on the Windows 11 or Windows 10 PC.
Full procedure with screenshots: Recover deleted files (Recycle Bin, backups, OneDrive) On uGetFix
Instructions for each browser and system
The detailed steps for every browser and system this guide covers. Open the one you use.
Manual removal using Safe Mode
Important! →
Manual removal guide might be too complicated for regular computer users. It requires advanced IT knowledge to be performed correctly (if vital system files are removed or damaged, it might result in full Windows compromise), and it also might take hours to complete. Therefore, we highly advise using the automatic method provided above instead.
Step 1. Access Safe Mode with Networking
Manual malware removal should be best performed in the Safe Mode environment.
Windows 7 / Vista / XP
- Click Start > Shutdown > Restart > OK.
- When your computer becomes active, start pressing F8 button (if that does not work, try F2, F12, Del, etc. - it all depends on your motherboard model) multiple times until you see the Advanced Boot Options window.
- Select Safe Mode with Networking from the list.
Windows 10 / Windows 8
- Right-click on Start button and select Settings.
- Scroll down to pick Update & Security.
- On the left side of the window, pick Recovery.
- Now scroll down to find Advanced Startup section.
- Click Restart now.
- Select Troubleshoot.
- Go to Advanced options.
- Select Startup Settings.
- Press Restart.
- Now press 5 or click 5) Enable Safe Mode with Networking.
Step 2. Shut down suspicious processes
Windows Task Manager is a useful tool that shows all the processes running in the background. If malware is running a process, you need to shut it down:
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Click on More details.
- Scroll down to Background processes section, and look for anything suspicious.
- Right-click and select Open file location.
- Go back to the process, right-click and pick End Task.
- Delete the contents of the malicious folder.
Step 3. Check program Startup
- Press Ctrl + Shift + Esc on your keyboard to open Windows Task Manager.
- Go to Startup tab.
- Right-click on the suspicious program and pick Disable.
Step 4. Delete virus files
Malware-related files can be found in various places within your computer. Here are instructions that could help you find them:
- Type in Disk Cleanup in Windows search and press Enter.
- Select the drive you want to clean (C: is your main drive by default and is likely to be the one that has malicious files in).
- Scroll through the Files to delete list and select the following:
Temporary Internet Files
Downloads
Recycle Bin
Temporary files - Pick Clean up system files.
- You can also look for other malicious files hidden in the following folders (type these entries in Windows Search and press Enter):
%AppData%
%LocalAppData%
%ProgramData%
%WinDir%
After you are finished, reboot the PC in normal mode.
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
Remove MoneyPak virus from your computer permanently
Security experts note that Green Dot MoneyPak virus removal might be difficult simply because malware uses a sophisticated encryption code.
Although manual elimination is technically possible, we do not suggest regular users undertake this procedure.
You have to employ powerful security software, such as , or , and run a full system scan while in Safe Mode with Networking. Nevertheless, many users noted that this method does not work, and the screen stays locked even in Safe Mode. In that case, you should try to enter Safe Mode with Command Prompt to use System Restore function to remove FBI Green Dot MoneyPak malware.
From our report of Jun 2018 · not reviewed since
FBI Green Dot MoneyPak virus is also capable of locking Android devices
FBI Green Dot Moneypak virus has been updated - it is now capable of blocking Android devices.
It acts just like its previous versions. So, as soon as FBI android virus enters the OS, it locks is down and then displays a fake warning message asking people to pay a fine for their illegal online activities. Please, do NOT pay this fine! If your Android device was blocked, you should follow these steps:
1. Reboot your Android device into Safe Mode:
If this failed to work for you, just turn off your device and then turn it on. Once it becomes active, try pressing and holding Menu, Volume Down, Volume Up or Volume Down and Volume Up together to see Safe Mode.
2. Uninstall malicious app (FBI Android virus may hide under BaDoink, Video Player, Network Driver System, Video Render, ScarePakage and other suspicious names):
If this failed, enter a random, 15 digit length, code of imaginary MoneyPak xpress Packed voucher that is asked by this android virus or follow these steps:
[GI=method-1]To enable security software, enter Safe Mode with Networking using the following steps:
[GI=method-2]You can also get rid of FBI Green Dot MoneyPak virus by using System Restore:
- Find the power button and press it for a couple of seconds until you see a menu. Tap the Power off.
- Once you see a dialog window that offers you to reboot your Android to Safe Mode, select this option and OK.
- When in Safe Mode, go to Settings. Once there, click on Apps or Application manager (this may differ depending on your device).
- Here, look for previously mentioned malicious app(s) and uninstall all of them.
- Go to Settings -> Security. Here, select Device administrators.
- Here, look for previously mentioned malicious app(s) and uncheck it
- In order to finish the removal of FBI Android virus, select Deactivate and OK.
Report it and recover your files
Report it
Report the attack even if you do not expect the files back: insurers and banks ask for the report number, and police use the contacts in the note to link cases.
- United States
- FBI IC3 · FTC ReportFraud
- United Kingdom
- Report Fraud (formerly Action Fraud) · NCSC
- Australia
- ReportCyber (ASD)
- EU countries
- Europol: national reporting sites
Give the victim ID, the note and the date the files were encrypted. A business that holds personal data may also have to notify its data protection authority, in the EU within 72 hours.
Protect the files you restore
Restore only after the scans are clean and the PC no longer shows FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus in the list of installed apps; otherwise the restored copies can be damaged again.
Then build a backup that survives the next infection:
- one copy in the cloud with version history
- one on an external drive that is disconnected between backups
- the working copy on the PC
Version history matters because a backup that syncs damaged files overwrites the good ones.
How to do this with the tools built into Windows: the 3-2-1 backup rule on Windows.
Choose a proper web browser and improve your safety with a VPN tool
Online spying has got momentum in recent years and people are getting more and more interested in how to protect their privacy online.
One of the basic means to add a layer of security - choose the most private and secure web browser. Although web browsers can't grant full privacy protection and security, some of them are much better at sandboxing, HTTPS upgrading, active content blocking, tracking blocking, phishing protection, and similar privacy-oriented features.
However, if you want true anonymity, we suggest you employ a powerful VPN - it can encrypt all the traffic that comes and goes out of your computer, preventing tracking completely.
Lost your files? Use data recovery software
While some files located on any computer are replaceable or useless, others can be extremely valuable.
Family photos, work documents, school projects - these are types of files that we don't want to lose. Unfortunately, there are many ways how unexpected data loss can occur:
- power cuts
- Blue Screen of Death errors
- hardware failures
- crypto-malware attack
- even accidental deletion
To ensure that all the files remain intact, you should prepare regular data backups. You can choose cloud-based or physical copies you could restore from later in case of a disaster. If your backups were lost as well or you never bothered to prepare any, can be your only hope to retrieve your invaluable files.
Questions about FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus
Is there a free FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus decryptor?
We last checked on 7 October 2026, and for FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus no free decryptor is known. We check No More Ransom, which collects free tools from police and security companies, and the decryptor pages of the major antivirus vendors. A working decryptor exists only when the encryption has a flaw or the keys were leaked or seized.
Ignore sites and videos that offer a "FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus decryptor" for download or for a fee: these are usually scams or malware. Real decryptors are free and come from known security companies or law enforcement. Keep the encrypted files in case a tool appears later.
Did FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus steal my files or passwords?
We do not know yet. Nothing published so far shows data theft by FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus, but the only confirmed sign is FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus in the list of installed apps, which says nothing about what happened before.
Many current ransomware attacks copy files or run a password stealer first, so it is wise to act as if they did.
From a clean device, change the passwords that were saved in the browsers on this PC, starting with e-mail and banking, sign out of all sessions and turn on two-step verification. Watch bank statements and account activity for the next few weeks.
Should I pay the ransom?
We advise against it, and so do the FBI, Europol and national cyber agencies. Payment does not guarantee a working tool: some attackers never reply, some tools damage files, and some variants have no decryptor at all. Paying also funds further attacks and can make you a target again.
Before considering payment, try every recovery option in this guide and report the attack. Companies must involve their legal adviser and insurer, because payments to sanctioned groups can be illegal. If files are truly irreplaceable, store the encrypted copies and wait; decryptors sometimes appear later.
Are ransomware recovery services legitimate?
Some are, but read the offer carefully. Genuine data-recovery firms recover deleted originals from disks or rebuild damaged files, and they say so. Others promise to "decrypt any ransomware" for a fixed price, which is impossible without the key; they quietly pay the attackers and keep a margin, sometimes without telling the victim.
Be especially careful with services that contact you after you post about the attack online. Ask for references, a written method and a no-result-no-fee clause, and check the free tools on No More Ransom first.
How did FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus get on my computer?
The way FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus spreads has not been documented yet, so look at your own recent activity.
On home PCs, ransomware most often comes with cracked programs, game cheats, key generators and fake updates, or with an e-mail attachment that was opened. On business networks, attackers usually log in through Remote Desktop with a stolen or guessed password.
Think back to what was downloaded or installed in the days before FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus in the list of installed apps, and check the Downloads folder and Installed apps sorted by date. Keep anything suspicious for your report, but do not run it again.
Is FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus the same as other ransomware with a similar name?
Not necessarily. Ransomware names come from the file extension, the note or a word in the code, so unrelated families often end up with similar names, and one family can appear under several names. The difference matters: a decryptor or advice for one family does not fit another and can damage files.
Compare the ending added to your files and the exact name of the note with the summary table at the top of this guide, then upload the note and one encrypted file to ID Ransomware from a clean device. If the result names another family, follow the guide for that family instead.
How do I open my .docx, .jpg and other files locked by FBI Green Dot Moneypak?
You cannot open locked files normally while they stay encrypted, and renaming them will not help. Our earlier report did not record the extension that FBI Green Dot Moneypak adds, so check one locked file name and the ransom note for it.
No free decryptor is known for this variant; check No More Ransom (nomoreransom.org) for updates. Do not rename the files, change the extension or edit them, because that can make recovery harder. Copy the locked files to an external drive before you clean the system, so a decryptor released later still has them.
How can I protect my files from FBI Green Dot Moneypak and similar ransomware?
Keep tested backups, update the system and treat unexpected attachments as unsafe. Keep at least one backup copy offline, because ransomware also encrypts drives that stay connected. Install system and browser updates soon after they appear, and turn off remote desktop if you do not use it.
Do not open attachments or links from senders you did not expect, even when the message looks urgent. Use a standard user account for daily work instead of an administrator account. Restore a few files from your backup now and then to prove that it works.
Will Fortect remove FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus?
Fortect scans Windows for malware and unwanted programs and repairs the system files and settings they change, and its free scan shows what it finds on your PC before you decide anything.
For FBI Green Dot Moneypak Virus, follow the plan above as well: the browser steps take back permissions and settings that no scanner treats as a threat, and uninstalling the program that brought it removes the source.
Run Microsoft Defender's full scan and, if anything was found, its offline scan as a second opinion. If the symptoms are gone after the plan and both scans are clean, there is nothing more to do.
Sources
- Wikipedia: Malware (read October 7, 2026)
- CISA: StopRansomware (read October 7, 2026)
- No More Ransom (read October 7, 2026)
- FTC: How to recognize, remove and avoid malware (read October 7, 2026)
- Microsoft Learn: Microsoft Defender Offline (read October 7, 2026)