In recent days we’ve become aware of a software website selling “Personal Security Software” and claiming to be associated with Otaku Software.
The site, “otakusoftwareguide.com” is in no way related to Otaku Software or otakusoftware.com.
Under no circumstances should you supply the “otakusoftwareguide.com” site with any personal information, especially your credit card number.
If you’re unlucky enough to fall victim to this scam, you’ll see a charge on your credit card bill from “otakusoftwareguide.com” for $79.90, and you’ll be sent a software file named “setup_40s1.exe”.
Do not install “setup_40s1.exe”, as the file contains viruses, malware, and spyware.
The site “otakusoftwareguide.com” is registered through bizcn.com, a notorious domain name registry frequently used by scammers. The domain is registered to one Henry Nguyen Gong, a well known purveyor of malware.
While “Henry” is probably just an alias used by a crime syndicate, I’ll post “his” contact details for posterity:
Henry Nguyen Gong
Phone: +33.0466583875
Fax: +33.0466583875
Address: Rue la produit 34, Nimes Languedoc-Roussillon 30189,
Please be aware that “Henry” isn’t just using otakusoftwareguide.com, he perpetrates the same scam using a number of different websites. If you’re looking for anti-virus software, I’d recommend a well know free solution such as AVG or Microsoft Security Essentials instead of some unknown software.
As I said before, this is most probably the work of a criminal organization, so they’ll try to use your card again in the future. Initiating a chargeback on this first fradulent charge will not be enough to protect you.
If you have fallen victim to this scam then I strongly recommend that you cancel your credit card immediately.
I’m extremely disappointed that these scammers have chosen to use our name and reputation in order to steal from people, and I’ll be taking whatever steps I can to remedy this situation.
I have always thought highly of your company. It says a lot that this is how you chose to respond to this sort of thing. It would have been easier not to put it on the company blog. Thanks for being an example.
I purchased Microsoft defenders from this site, and did not receive it, now I am trying to find out where my money went???
Candy: I’d suggest you immediately cancel your credit card. Unfortunately they are a scam and will charge fraudulent transactions to your card.