The Truth About the “Your Account was Hacked” Email Scam
Written by: Stelian Pilici
Published on:
The “Your Account Was Hacked” email is a prevalent scam that cybercriminals use to extort money from unsuspecting victims. This fraudulent email claims that the recipient’s computer or account has been hacked and demands payment to avoid further issues.
This Article Contains:
Overview of the Scam
The “Your Account Was Hacked” scam email has been circulating for years and continues to dupe many. This spam campaign utilizes social engineering techniques to scare recipients into paying up.
Here’s how it usually goes:
You receive an email stating that your computer or account (e.g. email, social media) has been hacked. The message claims that malware, spyware or a virus has infected your device, allowing the cybercriminals access to your personal information, browsing history, camera and more.
In some versions, the criminals allege they’ve recorded compromising or embarrassing videos/photos of you through your webcam that they’ll share publicly if you don’t pay them. Others threaten to send all your passwords, contacts, private documents and other sensitive information to everyone in your address book.
The email urges you to pay a ransom, often $500 – $1000, in Bitcoin within 24-48 hours to prevent the hackers from leaking your data or circulating inappropriate videos/images. It provides Bitcoin wallet addresses to send the funds to.
This is what a typical “Your Account Was Hacked” extortion email looks like:
“Your account was hacked! Renew the pswd right away! You probably do not know me me and you may be certainly wanting to know for what reason you’re receiving this message, right? I’m ahacker who burstyour emailand devices and gadgetsnot so long ago. Do not attempt to msg me or alternatively try to find me, it is definitely hopeless, because I sent you a letter from YOUR hacked account. I installed spyware on the adult vids (porno) website and suppose you enjoyed this site to enjoy it (you know what I mean). During you have been watching content, your browser started out operating as a RDP (Remote Control) that have a keylogger that granted me authority to access your desktop and webcam. Afterward, my programobtainedall information. You have typed passcodes on the websites you visited, I caught all of them. Surely, you could possibly change each of them, or perhaps already modified them. But it really doesn’t matter, my malware renews it every time. And what did I do? I compiled a reserve copy of every your system. Of all files and personal contacts. I got a dual-screen video recording. The 1st section demonstrates the video you were observing (you’ve got a good preferences, ahah…), the second screen demonstrates the movie from your camera. What should you do? Great, in my opinion, 1000 USD is basically a reasonable amount of money for this little riddle. You’ll do the deposit by bitcoins (in case you don’t understand this, go searching “how to purchase bitcoin” in any search engine). My bitcoin wallet address: 1DyiDqXUQ44qbnuBxARp5Q2Q2j6pvXZAyQ, 17qQSJatXXj5DnjMLjNGXx9BT7NUhqimRx, 15LZuFSVyDAoaNLtbh4ru7ZQWvZxEosCaf, 18DGKAQ3gHQVmPHPVyLvBGsCoX1d4G8yfq, 1JRfE57ZF8Eaqa7DktHmVCoAneA8q4fpP2, 1LthzYVB7jrYFPnJHDLriDnxk4BJ4Ch2jf, 1GXBRWZaTqTEvxY2NzfdrMwYbPHqfWNNYE, 14GHLvKaXSNtDTkshZi5j8uUo3mFtJ52FN, 19SDJp3rdgU99sadqEb437b1qAynsCg9r8, 1LWbhU7623zZjLHTnfTRyrcqbRnXoVKaBd, 1GVgsTh6j1oh5PUksWQDdiChtsRiWwkR6Q, 14dM8NWRhdzKixe3hcvY6HfQGcjt736Gkc, 1FUieDeAPMpTpz67aKfr1jsWXmJfvQ6V8w, 1CUmFahadM9fmENHcdepbwSENEdmqh7VeF, 19Bk81t5nG8DZJSaJB6xqgvqfs1pCeF4KS, 1Cboy74YFQy1pLJTRrnibYfqiVo3FXv9fe, 1LP5g9uxYdqkTGZfgjRU9dFbY3pra3BaPw, 1EcoMxqqevYgoK6syi3TD4mTaSJGYLQbGw, 1Jo478RY2qC8vZ1cxSmk2WFjq5j9bpfDuv (It is cAsE sensitive, so just copy and paste it). Warning: You will have 48 hours to make the payment. (I built in an unique pixel to this message, and right now I understand that you’ve read through this email). To tracethe reading of a messageand the actionsin it, I utilizea Facebook pixel. Thanks to them. (Everything thatcan be usedfor the authorities should helpus.)
If I fail to get bitcoins, I will immediately offer your videofile to each of your contacts, including family members, colleagues, and so forth?”
The email is designed to scare recipients into quickly paying the ransom to avoid embarrassment or further issues. However, it’s all a scam meant to extort money.
How the “Your Account Was Hacked” Scam Works
The “Your Account Was Hacked” extortion scheme employs various deceptive tactics to make the email appear legit and frighten recipients. Here’s a step-by-step look at how cybercriminals execute this scam:
1. Scammers Obtain Email Addresses
Hackers and scammers have many ways of gathering people’s email addresses to target with spam campaigns. They may:
Purchase lists of emails on the dark web
Use malware to steal address books and contact lists from compromised computers
Utilize email scraping tools to harvest addresses from websites
Exploit vulnerabilities in websites and databases to access user account info
Email lists can also be leaked through data breaches. The more email addresses these criminals have, the more potential victims they can reach.
2. Spoof the Sender’s Email Address
To make the “Your Account Was Hacked” email appear legit, scammers use spoofing techniques to mask the origin of the message.
They alter the sender’s email address in the message header to show the recipient’s own email instead of the actual sender’s address. So when you receive the scam email, it will look like it’s coming from your own account.
Seeing your own email address as the sender makes it seem like you actually sent the message yourself, lending credibility to the hackers’ claims that they control your account.
3. Craft a Fear-Inducing Message
The scam email is carefully worded to scare and pressure recipients. The message asserts that the hackers have access to your personal data, browsing history, camera, etc.
They make threats to share or leak compromising videos or information extracted from your device. The tone is demanding and urgent, giving a short deadline to pay up or else face consequences.
Including some personal details like the recipient’s email address helps make the email appear convincingly customized and legitimate. The ransom payment demand ranges from $500 to $1000 or more.
4. Provide Bitcoin Payment Instructions
The scammers insist on payment through Bitcoin, a decentralized digital currency. Bitcoin transactions are pseudonymous, making it very difficult to trace who sends and receives funds.
The email includes Bitcoin wallet addresses and demands the ransom money be deposited into those accounts within 24-48 hours. It may also give instructions for purchasing Bitcoin for those unfamiliar with cryptocurrency.
Bitcoin allows scammers to easily collect ransom payments from victims while staying anonymous. Traditional bank transactions tend to have more security protections and paper trails.
5. Sit Back and Profit
After blasting out the fraudulent “Your Account Was Hacked” emails en masse, the scammers simply wait for panicked victims to pay up.
Even if only 1% of recipients submit the ransom, that’s still a lot of easy money for virtually no work. Successful collections incentivize the hackers to keep running this type of extortion campaign.
They never actually have to follow through on threats of leaking videos or personal data, since their intent is solely to swindle people out of money. No real hacking necessary.
Is the “Your Account Was Hacked” email legit or a scam?
It’s understandable to feel uncertain about the validity of an email claiming your account was hacked. However, the “Your Account Was Hacked” message is a definite scam. Here are some signs it’s fraudulent:
It demands urgent payment to avoid consequences – legitimate companies won’t insist on rushed payments under threats.
Payment is demanded through Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies, which are difficult to trace. Real companies typically don’t insist on these.
The sender address is likely spoofed to show your own email instead of the scammer’s actual address. This is a technique scammers use.
There are spelling/grammar errors and inconsistencies in the message. Legitimate warnings from recognized companies will be professional and polished.
Threats to release or leak private data if payment isn’t received are bullying tactics that legitimate businesses won’t use.
The scammers claim they’ve recorded inappropriate videos of you, infected your device, stolen sensitive information, etc. but provide no real proof or evidence that this occurred.
The message creates extreme urgency, demanding payment within 24-48 hours. Valid warnings won’t force you to act rashly under duress.
The email threatens consequences but doesn’t specify what information was compromised or what damage was done. Authentic security alerts will provide details.
The criminals promise that paying them will make the supposed problems disappear. Real companies won’t expect a payment to magically fix a complex security breach.
If you have any doubts about the legitimacy of a concerning email, reach out to the company in question directly using contact information on their official website. Never act solely on the basis of an unsolicited email without verification. Apply scrutiny to examine the message for red flags and telltale signs of a scam.
How to Spot This Scam Email
The crooks behind this scam are determined to make their emails appear legit, but there are ways to discern fraudulent messages:
Sender’s Address – Many times the scammers will spoof the sender address to show your own email rather than theirs. But you can view the full email header to check the actual origin.
Grammatical/Spelling Errors – Phishing emails often contain typos, poor grammar and punctuation. A message from a real established company will be professionally written.
Threatening Demands – Real companies won’t insist you pay within hours under threat of leaking videos or other consequences. Extortion is a sign of criminals.
Generic Greeting – Scam emails won’t address you by name and often start impersonally with “Dear user” or “Hello” rather than a customized greeting.
Sense of Urgency – Pressuring language telling you to act quickly is a red flag. Valid notices will allow reasonable time to verify and respond.
Spoofed Company Logos – Scammers copy logos of trusted brands, but look closely as there may be subtle differences from the real deal.
Request for Bitcoin – Credible businesses do not demand payment solely through Bitcoin. Criminals prefer cryptocurrency for its anonymity.
Threats to Expose You – A real company would not threaten to publicly share videos or data about you. This is blackmail.
No Proof Provided – The email won’t contain any actual evidence that your account was compromised as claimed.
Stay vigilant and use common sense when evaluating any unsolicited email. If anything seems suspicious, you can perform additional checks to confirm whether it is legitimate.
What to Do If You’re Targeted by This Scam
If you receive a “Your Account Was Hacked” extortion email, don’t panic. Here are the steps to take:
Don’t Pay the Ransom
This is fake email, and the hackers never truly gained access to your system or accounts. There is no compromising video of you, and they don’t have your personal data.
Paying the ransom won’t stop a non-existent video from being leaked – it will only finance criminal operations. The correct move is to ignore the payment demands.
Report the Email as Spam
Forward the scam email to your email provider’s abuse or spam reporting address (e.g. spam@yourprovider.com).
Reporting the scam message helps your provider identify and block the scamming account sending these emails. The more recipients report the scam, the more effective providers can be at stopping the spam campaign.
You can also report phishing email scams to the Anti-Phishing Working Group at info@apwg.org. Their mission is to combat cybercrime and email spoofing scams like this.
Run Anti-Virus Software
Although extremely unlikely the hackers infiltrated your system as claimed, it doesn’t hurt to scan your computer for malware using updated antivirus software as a precaution. This can identify and remove any potential threats.
Change Passwords
Again very doubtful the criminals cracked your passwords, but you can rotate passwords for your important online accounts like email, banking, social media, etc.
Use strong unique passwords for each account. Enable two-factor authentication wherever possible for an added layer of security on accounts.
Watch for Suspicious Activity
Keep an eye out for any strange occurrences that could potentially indicate a security incident, like unknown login attempts or transactions made without your authorization.
Monitor financial statements frequently to spot fraudulent charges right away. Notify relevant companies of suspicious activity ASAP.
Ignore Follow-up Extortion Attempts
Scammers who don’t receive the demanded ransom may follow up with additional threatening emails. Continue to ignore – don’t engage with the criminals or respond to messages.
Delete the follow-up extortion emails. If possible, block the sender’s email address. They are unlikely to really take action if you stand firm and don’t react.
Is Your Device Infected? Check for Malware
If your device is running slowly or acting suspicious, it may be infected with malware. Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Free is a great option for scanning your device and detecting potential malware or viruses. The free version can efficiently check for and remove many common infections.
Malwarebytes can run on Windows, Mac, and Android devices. Depending on which operating system is installed on the device you’re trying to run a Malwarebytes scan, please click on the tab below and follow the displayed steps.
Malwarebytes For WindowsMalwarebytes For MacMalwarebytes For Android
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Windows to remove malware
Malwarebytes is one of the most popular and most used anti-malware software for Windows, and for good reasons. It is able to destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss, without costing you absolutely nothing. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Windows.
You can download Malwarebytes by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the MBSetup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
You may be presented with a User Account Control pop-up asking if you want to allow Malwarebytes to make changes to your device. If this happens, you should click “Yes” to continue with the Malwarebytes installation.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes setup wizard which will guide you through the installation process. The Malwarebytes installer will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program on, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
On the next screen, click “Install” to install Malwarebytes on your computer.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen.
Click on “Scan”.
Malwarebytes is now installed on your computer, to start a scan click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malicious programs.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now scan your computer for browser hijackers and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the Malwarebytes scan is finished scanning it will show a screen that displays any malware, adware, or potentially unwanted programs that it has detected. To remove the adware and other malicious programs that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files and registry keys that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your computer should now be free of trojans, adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed this malicious program on your computer, you may want to consider purchasing Malwarebytes Premium to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your computer after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Scan your computer with Malwarebytes for Mac to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Mac is an on-demand scanner that can destroy many types of malware that other software tends to miss without costing you absolutely anything. When it comes to cleaning up an infected device, Malwarebytes has always been free, and we recommend it as an essential tool in the fight against malware.
Download Malwarebytes for Mac.
You can download Malwarebytes for Mac by clicking the link below.
When Malwarebytes has finished downloading, double-click on the setup file to install Malwarebytes on your computer. In most cases, downloaded files are saved to the Downloads folder.
Follow the on-screen prompts to install Malwarebytes.
When the Malwarebytes installation begins, you will see the Malwarebytes for Mac Installer which will guide you through the installation process. Click “Continue“, then keep following the prompts to continue with the installation process.
When your Malwarebytes installation completes, the program opens to the Welcome to Malwarebytes screen. Click the “Get started” button.
Select “Personal Computer” or “Work Computer”.
The Malwarebytes Welcome screen will first ask you what type of computer are you installing this program, click either Personal Computer or Work Computer.
Click on “Scan”.
To scan your computer with Malwarebytes, click on the “Scan” button. Malwarebytes for Mac will automatically update the antivirus database and start scanning your computer for malware.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will scan your computer for adware, browser hijackers, and other malicious programs. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Quarantine”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes has detected. To remove the malware that Malwarebytes has found, click on the “Quarantine” button.
Restart computer.
Malwarebytes will now remove all the malicious files that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your computer.
Your Mac should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious program on your computer, you might want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes Anti-Malware to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still experiencing problems while trying to remove a malicious program from your computer, please ask for help in our Mac Malware Removal Help & Support forum.
Scan your phone with Malwarebytes for Android to remove malware
Malwarebytes for Android automatically detects and removes dangerous threats like malware and ransomware so you don’t have to worry about your most-used device being compromised. Aggressive detection of adware and potentially unwanted programs keeps your Android phone or tablet running smooth.
Download Malwarebytes for Android.
You can download Malwarebytes for Android by clicking the link below.
In the Google Play Store, tap “Install” to install Malwarebytes for Android on your device.
When the installation process has finished, tap “Open” to begin using Malwarebytes for Android. You can also open Malwarebytes by tapping on its icon in your phone menu or home screen.
Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the setup process
When Malwarebytes will open, you will see the Malwarebytes Setup Wizard which will guide you through a series of permissions and other setup options. This is the first of two screens that explain the difference between the Premium and Free versions. Swipe this screen to continue. Tap on “Got it” to proceed to the next step. Malwarebytes for Android will now ask for a set of permissions that are required to scan your device and protect it from malware. Tap on “Give permission” to continue. Tap on “Allow” to permit Malwarebytes to access the files on your phone.
Update database and run a scan with Malwarebytes for Android
You will now be prompted to update the Malwarebytes database and run a full system scan.
Click on “Update database” to update the Malwarebytes for Android definitions to the latest version, then click on “Run full scan” to perform a system scan.
Wait for the Malwarebytes scan to complete.
Malwarebytes will now start scanning your phone for adware and other malicious apps. This process can take a few minutes, so we suggest you do something else and periodically check on the status of the scan to see when it is finished.
Click on “Remove Selected”.
When the scan has been completed, you will be presented with a screen showing the malware infections that Malwarebytes for Android has detected. To remove the malicious apps that Malwarebytes has found, tap on the “Remove Selected” button.
Restart your phone.
Malwarebytes for Android will now remove all the malicious apps that it has found. To complete the malware removal process, Malwarebytes may ask you to restart your device.
Your phone should now be free of adware, browser hijackers, and other malware.
If your current antivirus allowed a malicious app on your phone, you may want to consider purchasing the full-featured version of Malwarebytes to protect against these types of threats in the future. If you are still having problems with your phone after completing these instructions, then please follow one of the steps:
Restore your phone to factory settings by going to Settings > General management > Reset > Factory data reset.
Frequently Asked Questions about the “Your Account Was Hacked” Email Scam
The “Your Account Was Hacked” extortion scam can be confusing and concerning for recipients. Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about this fraudulent email campaign.
What is the “Your Account Was Hacked” email scam?
This is a prevalent spam campaign where recipients get an email claiming hackers compromised their computer or online accounts. The message threatens to leak private data or embarrassing videos unless a ransom is paid. It’s a scam to extort money through deception and fear.
How does the “Your Account Was Hacked” scam work?
The scammers send fake warnings that malware gave them access to your device and camera. They threaten to share inappropriate videos or sensitive info publicly if you don’t pay within 24-48 hours. The email provides Bitcoin wallets to send the $500-$1000 ransom to. It’s all lies meant to trick victims into paying up.
Are the hackers’ claims real?
No, this is just a scam. The criminals never actually accessed your accounts, recorded you, or obtained your personal data. They are simply sending mass emails trying to frighten a percentage of recipients into paying the ransom. There is no real basis for their threats.
Should I pay the ransom?
No, never pay the ransom demanded by scammers. The threats of leaking videos or data are empty extortion tactics. Paying the scammers via Bitcoin only encourages them to continue the spam campaign and scam other victims.
What if I already paid the ransom?
If you already sent the payment, try contacting your bank and the Bitcoin exchange you used to see if there’s any way to stop or reverse the transaction. You can also report it to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov. In the future, remember not to pay ransoms to unknown scammers.
How did the scammers get my email address?
Scammers have many ways of obtaining email addresses, including buying stolen lists online, harvesting publicly available info from websites, exploiting vulnerabilities to steal account data, and more. Email addresses can also be leaked through breaches.
How can I tell if an email is legit or a scam?
Look for poor spelling/grammar, threats asking for urgent payment, ransom demands in Bitcoin, spoofed sender addresses, and other suspicious signs. Call or find the official contact info for the company that allegedly sent the email to verify if real. And never click links or attachments in unsolicited emails.
What should I do if I get this scam email?
Do not pay any ransom. Report the scam email as spam/phishing to your email provider. Scan your device for malware and change account passwords as a precaution. Monitor financial statements for unauthorized activity. Ignore follow up extortion attempts.
How can I protect myself from this scam?
Use strong unique passwords, enable two-factor authentication, keep software updated, watch for suspicious activity, and exercise caution with unsolicited emails/messages. Anti-virus software can also help block malware attacks. Back up your data regularly in case of infection.
Who should I contact if I have been targeted by this scam?
You can report phishing scams like this to the Anti-Phishing Working Group (info@apwg.org) and to the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center at www.ic3.gov.
The Bottom Line
The “Your Account Was Hacked” email scam has been circulating for many years and continues to claim new victims through deceptive social engineering tactics.
Cybercriminals mass-blast these fear-inducing extortion emails, hoping to convince a percentage of recipients to promptly pay the ransom and avoid supposed consequences.
But rest assured this is just a scam utilizing intimidation and misdirection. The hackers never truly accessed your system or accounts as claimed. There is no embarrassing video or sensitive data they can leak.
Don’t give in to demands for Bitcoin. Report the spam, beef up security measures, and ignore additional extortion attempts. Protect yourself and your money by recognizing this scam email for what it is – a fraudulent ploy to capitalize on fear and uncertainty.
Stay vigilant against phishing and extortion attempts. Use anti-virus software, strong unique passwords, and multi-factor authentication to secure accounts. And above all, don’t let scammers intimidate you into irrational decisions.
How to Stay Safe Online
Here are 10 basic security tips to help you avoid malware and protect your device:
Use a good antivirus and keep it up-to-date.
It's essential to use a good quality antivirus and keep it up-to-date to stay ahead of the latest cyber threats. We are huge fans of Malwarebytes Premium and use it on all of our devices, including Windows and Mac computers as well as our mobile devices. Malwarebytes sits beside your traditional antivirus, filling in any gaps in its defenses, and providing extra protection against sneakier security threats.
Keep software and operating systems up-to-date.
Keep your operating system and apps up to date. Whenever an update is released for your device, download and install it right away. These updates often include security fixes, vulnerability patches, and other necessary maintenance.
Be careful when installing programs and apps.
Pay close attention to installation screens and license agreements when installing software. Custom or advanced installation options will often disclose any third-party software that is also being installed. Take great care in every stage of the process and make sure you know what it is you're agreeing to before you click "Next."
Install an ad blocker.
Use a browser-based content blocker, like AdGuard. Content blockers help stop malicious ads, Trojans, phishing, and other undesirable content that an antivirus product alone may not stop.
Be careful what you download.
A top goal of cybercriminals is to trick you into downloading malware—programs or apps that carry malware or try to steal information. This malware can be disguised as an app: anything from a popular game to something that checks traffic or the weather.
Be alert for people trying to trick you.
Whether it's your email, phone, messenger, or other applications, always be alert and on guard for someone trying to trick you into clicking on links or replying to messages. Remember that it's easy to spoof phone numbers, so a familiar name or number doesn't make messages more trustworthy.
Back up your data.
Back up your data frequently and check that your backup data can be restored. You can do this manually on an external HDD/USB stick, or automatically using backup software. This is also the best way to counter ransomware. Never connect the backup drive to a computer if you suspect that the computer is infected with malware.
Choose strong passwords.
Use strong and unique passwords for each of your accounts. Avoid using personal information or easily guessable words in your passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) on your accounts whenever possible.
Be careful where you click.
Be cautious when clicking on links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could potentially contain malware or phishing scams.
Don't use pirated software.
Avoid using Peer-to-Peer (P2P) file-sharing programs, keygens, cracks, and other pirated software that can often compromise your data, privacy, or both.
To avoid potential dangers on the internet, it's important to follow these 10 basic safety rules. By doing so, you can protect yourself from many of the unpleasant surprises that can arise when using the web.
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Meet Stelian Pilici
Stelian leverages over a decade of cybersecurity expertise to lead malware analysis and removal, uncover scams, and educate people. His experience provides insightful analysis and valuable perspective.
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