Fake Antivirus Scams via Western Union
Fraudulent antivirus vendors demand Western Union transfers as payment for non-existent security software, targeting victims who lack access to online payment methods.
Part of: Fake Antivirus Scams
Last reviewed: 1 June 2026
Fake antivirus scams that route to Western Union target demographics that may not have active credit cards or are uncomfortable with online payments. The cash-based nature of Western Union eliminates the chargeback risk for scammers and makes recovery near-impossible once funds are collected.
For victims who are less digitally active, a phone-based 'technician' who walks them through a Western Union transfer may seem more credible than an online checkout — the familiarity of an in-person cash transaction reduces the alarm that an unfamiliar website might trigger.
How this scam works on Western Union
A pop-up or cold call informs the victim their computer has critical viruses. A Western Union transfer is offered as the payment method for the security software, with a named receiver in a nearby city. The victim is instructed to tell the Western Union agent the transfer is for a personal payment.
After the transfer, the scammer may provide a fake licence key and a remote session to pretend to fix the computer — maintaining the illusion briefly before going silent.
In telephone-only variants, no remote access is requested. The caller simply collects the Western Union MTCN tracking number and hangs up, leaving the victim with no product and no recourse.
Common red flags
- Antivirus vendor requests Western Union payment rather than a credit card or bank card
- Call was unsolicited and described a problem the victim had not noticed
- Technician provides a receiver name and city for a Western Union transfer
- Licence key provided after payment is unverifiable or non-functional
- Follow-up calls request additional payments for deeper or extended protection
- Company name is similar to a well-known brand but cannot be independently verified
How to protect yourself
- Legitimate antivirus vendors sell through their official websites with standard payment methods — not Western Union
- Contact Western Union fraud services immediately if a transfer was sent
- Close browser pop-ups safely using the task manager rather than calling any displayed number
- Download security software only from official vendor websites navigated to directly
- Report the company name and caller details to your national consumer fraud authority
- Alert community groups, libraries, and senior centres where less digitally active individuals may be targeted
How to report it
- Call Western Union fraud services at 1-800-448-1492
- File with the FTC at reportfraud.ftc.gov
- Report the pop-up URL to your browser's safe-browsing reporting tool
Frequently asked questions
My computer still seems slow after the technician 'fixed' it. What should I do?
The remote session did nothing beneficial and may have installed additional unwanted software. Run a scan with a well-known security product installed from its official website. Consider taking the device to a trusted local computer repair shop or performing a factory reset if concerns persist.