AI-Powered Phishing and the Efimer Trojan: How Brazilian Scams Are Stealing Crypto from 5,000+ Victims (and How to Stay Safe)

If you think generative AI only helps defenders, think again. Cybercriminals are now using legitimate AI website builders to churn out convincing government lookalike sites—and they’re pairing those scams with a crypto-stealing Trojan that spreads through email, torrents, and compromised WordPress sites. The result: thousands of victims, stolen credentials, and drained wallets.

In this guide, I’ll break down what’s happening in Brazil right now, why it matters globally, and how to protect yourself and your organization. We’ll keep it clear and practical. No fear-mongering—just the facts, the red flags, and the fixes.

Let’s dive in.

The Short Version: What’s Going On

Threat actors are using legitimate AI-powered builders (like DeepSite AI and BlackBox AI) to generate polished phishing sites that impersonate Brazilian government agencies.
These sites use SEO poisoning to rank in Google for high-intent searches, tricking users into entering personal data and making fake PIX payments (~R$87.40).
In parallel, a mass-mailing campaign is pushing the Efimer Trojan, a clipper malware that swaps crypto wallet addresses in your clipboard and spreads via WordPress infections, email, and torrents.
At least 5,015 users have been impacted across Brazil, India, Spain, Russia, Italy, Germany, the U.K., Canada, France, and Portugal, according to telemetry.
The takeaway: AI is helping criminals scale faster and look more legitimate. But you can stay ahead by knowing the signs and tightening a few defenses.

Now, let’s unpack the details.

Part 1: AI Tools Are Fueling Highly Convincing Brazilian Phishing Scams

Cybersecurity researchers at Zscaler ThreatLabz uncovered a campaign abusing mainstream AI site builders to create replica sites for Brazilian agencies—specifically Brazil’s State Department of Traffic (Detran) and the Ministry of Education. The pages look professional because they are: AI builders optimize layouts, polish copy, and include modern styling frameworks like TailwindCSS by default. That polish becomes a weapon when criminals wield it.

Read the analysis: Zscaler ThreatLabz report

How the grift works

The attackers publish lookalike government sites that collect sensitive data: CPF (Cadastro de Pessoas Físicas), taxpayer IDs, and residential addresses.
They nudge users into sending a one-time PIX payment of R$87.40 (~US$16), framed as a fee for a psychometric or medical exam, or to secure a job offer.
To sell the lie, the phishing forms are “staged”—you enter one piece of info at a time, and the page progressively requests more, just like a real government portal.
On the backend, a custom API validates the CPF and even auto-populates the page with data linked to that number to boost credibility.

Here’s why that matters: staged flows reduce suspicion. Auto-filled personal details trigger a “this must be legit” gut reaction. And when you’re rushed—say, to meet a deadline—your guard drops.

Learn more about PIX: Banco Central do Brasil – PIX

AI “tells” in the code

Zscaler’s analysis highlighted unusual source code markers:

Overly explanatory comments (the kind AI tools add for developer clarity)
Non-functional UI elements that would work on real sites but are “dead” here
TailwindCSS-heavy styling, a trend uncommon in older phishing kits

These details don’t help victims spot the scam visually, but they do reveal a bigger shift: generative AI is changing the look and feel of phishing at scale.

SEO poisoning is the force multiplier

The campaign doesn’t just wait for victims—it meets them where they are. Attackers use SEO poisoning to push these fake pages higher in search results. If you search for “Detran payment” or “Ministry of Education exam,” a scam URL can appear above legitimate resources. People click the first result, and the trap is set.

SEO poisoning tactics often include:

Keyword-stuffed landing pages
Backlinks from compromised sites (often WordPress)
Typosquatted domains that look like the real thing
Sometimes, even malicious ads

For background: Google Search Central – Spam policies

Where the data likely comes from

Victims’ CPF details appear to be validated and auto-filled by the attackers’ API. There are two probable sources:

Previously breached data
Publicly exposed APIs with weak or leaked auth keys

Either way, real personal data makes the scam stick.

The impact isn’t “small” money

A single R$87.40 payment seems minor. At scale, it’s not. One thousand victims? That’s R$87,400. And the personal data harvested can fuel identity theft, tax fraud, and persistent social engineering. These aren’t one-and-done losses.

Part 2: Efimer Trojan — The Crypto Clipper Spreading Through Email, Torrents, and WordPress

While AI-built phishing sites siphon small payments, the Efimer Trojan goes after bigger fish: your crypto.

Kaspersky tracked a mass-mailing campaign starting June 2025 (with earlier variants dating to October 2024) that delivered Efimer via legal-sounding emails from “lawyers” at a major company. The hook: your domain is allegedly infringing their rights. Inside the email is a ZIP archive. The archive contains another password-protected ZIP—and an empty file naming the password to open it. That second archive contains a Windows Script File (WSF).

Read the details: Kaspersky Securelist

Once run, the script:

Displays a fake “cannot open document” error to distract you
Drops two files: controller.js (the trojan) and controller.xml (its configuration)
Creates a scheduled task to persist
Installs a TOR proxy and uses the TOR network for command-and-control (C2)
Starts clipping cryptocurrency wallet addresses you copy to your clipboard, replacing them with the attacker’s address
Can take screenshots and pull down additional payloads
In some variants, scans Chrome and Brave for wallet-related extensions like Atomic, Electrum, and Exodus

It doesn’t stop there. Efimer also helps attackers grow their infrastructure:

It can brute-force WordPress logins and use compromised sites to host malicious files.
It harvests emails and fills contact forms to spread spam.
It leverages malicious torrents to reach consumers with lures like “popular movies.”

Why that’s clever: attackers blend consumer and corporate targeting. Torrents catch individuals; “legal complaint” phish baits businesses. The more vectors, the more infections. Kaspersky estimates at least 5,015 impacted users in Brazil and beyond.

Learn about TOR (and why malware uses it): The Tor Project

What a crypto clipper actually does

A clipper sits quietly in the background. When you copy a crypto address—say, while sending a payment—the malware swaps it in your clipboard for an attacker-controlled address that looks similar at a glance. You paste, hit send, and the funds are gone.

Prevention tips:

Always verify the first and last 6–8 characters of a wallet address before you send.
Use an address book or whitelisting with your exchange or wallet.
Prefer QR codes from trusted sources over copy-paste.
Consider hardware wallets with built-in address confirmation.

Why WordPress Sites Keep Appearing in These Campaigns

Attackers love WordPress for the same reason creators do: it’s everywhere. Once a WordPress site is compromised, it becomes a swiss army knife for attackers:

Host malicious scripts and payloads behind a legitimate-looking domain
Inject SEO links to boost poisoned pages
Scrape emails and auto-fill contact forms to spread spam
Launch brute-force attacks against other WordPress sites

If you run WordPress, hardening is essential:

Keep core, themes, and plugins updated—no exceptions
Remove unused plugins and themes
Enforce strong passwords and two-factor authentication for all admins
Restrict file edits via the dashboard; limit write permissions
Rate-limit logins and block repeated failed attempts
Use a reputable WAF and security plugin
Monitor for unauthorized changes and new scheduled tasks/cron jobs

Start here: WordPress.org – Hardening WordPress

How to Protect Yourself (Individuals)

A few habits go a long way:

Don’t trust search results blindly
For government services, type the URL directly or use bookmarks.
Brazil’s official portals use .gov.br domains.
Verify payment flows
For PIX, initiate payments from within your bank’s official app, not from a link on a site you just found.
If a site demands a fee for a government exam or job processing, cross-check on the agency’s official portal or call them.
Be skeptical of staged data collection
If a site keeps asking for more info and auto-fills your details, pause and verify the URL. That “wow, it knows me” feeling can be a trap.
Use a password manager
Most password managers won’t auto-fill on lookalike domains. That’s a helpful tripwire.
Lock down your device
Keep OS and browsers updated.
Run reputable endpoint protection with web and script blocking.
Show file extensions on Windows and avoid running .wsf, .js, or .vbs files from email.
Treat archives with caution
Unsolicited ZIPs, especially nested and password-protected ones, are a big red flag.
Safer crypto hygiene
Verify addresses, use whitelists, prefer QR codes from known sources, and consider hardware wallets.
Send a test transaction for large amounts.
Avoid pirated torrents
They’re a known malware vector. Stick to legit sources.

Practical anti-phishing tips: CISA – Phishing Guidance

How to Protect Your Organization

These campaigns blend social engineering, search manipulation, and endpoint compromise. Defend in layers.

Brand and domain protection
Monitor for lookalike domains and typosquats; file takedowns.
Enforce SPF, DKIM, DMARC; consider BIMI for brand trust.
Search abuse reporting
Report malicious pages found in search results to Google: Report spam in search results
Email security
Quarantine nested and password-protected archives.
Block high-risk attachments by policy (.wsf, .js, .vbs).
Use sandboxing for suspicious attachments and links.
Endpoint and network controls
EDR with script and LOLBin (living-off-the-land) detection.
Monitor for unusual scheduled tasks and TOR traffic patterns.
DNS and web filtering to block known malicious domains.
WordPress fleet hardening
Centralize updates, enforce 2FA, restrict admin access, and deploy a WAF.
Scan for malicious plugins, backdoors, and unexpected file changes.
Security awareness
Train staff to verify legal claims via known contact channels, not emailed links.
Teach “type, don’t click” for sensitive logins and payments.

Brazil-focused resources: – Report incidents: CERT.br – PIX reversals and dispute process (MED): Banco Central – Mecanismo Especial de Devolução

Red Flags You Can Spot Fast

A government service demanding PIX via a page you found through search
A URL that isn’t .gov.br or uses odd subdomains/extra words
Forms that auto-fill your CPF details when you’ve never used the site
Nested, password-protected ZIP files sent by a “lawyer” you’ve never met
Windows Script Files (.wsf) or JavaScript attachments
Clipboard values that change after you copy a crypto address
A WordPress site you manage showing unknown admin users or new scheduled tasks

If something feels off, it probably is. Slow down and verify.

What To Do If You’re Impacted

If you made a PIX payment to a scammer
Contact your bank immediately. Ask about the Mecanismo Especial de Devolução (MED) for potential reversals. Time is critical.
File an incident report with your financial institution and keep records.
If you shared CPF or personal data
Monitor for identity fraud and credit activity through trusted Brazilian bureaus (e.g., Serasa, SPC Brasil).
Be alert for follow-on phishing that references your disclosed details.
If you suspect Efimer or clipper malware
Disconnect from the internet. Run a full scan with a reputable security suite.
Check Windows Task Scheduler for unknown tasks created recently.
Change passwords from a clean device.
For crypto: move funds to new wallets with new seed phrases; update address books; enable whitelisting on exchanges when available.
If your WordPress site may be compromised
Put the site in maintenance mode if possible. Rotate all credentials.
Update core, themes, plugins; remove anything unused.
Install a security plugin to scan for backdoors.
Review logs for suspicious logins and file changes; consider a professional clean-up.
Report the incident
National CSIRT: CERT.br
Also notify impacted users/customers if data exposure is suspected.

Why This Matters Beyond Brazil

These tactics travel well. AI site builders, SEO poisoning, malspam, TOR C2, and WordPress compromises are global. Replace CPF with SSN, PIX with Zelle/U.S. bank transfers, and you can see how easily this playbook adapts.

Put simply: attackers are acting like growth marketers. They A/B test lures, streamline “signup flows,” and optimize for conversion. We need to respond with the same rigor—measuring risk, hardening systems, and educating users.

FAQs

Q: Are AI website builders making phishing easier?
A: Yes. They lower the barrier to creating polished, responsive, and brand-consistent pages. Criminals can spin up dozens of convincing lookalikes in hours. Look for domain authenticity (e.g., .gov.br), not just design quality.

Q: What is SEO poisoning, and how do I avoid it?
A: SEO poisoning manipulates search rankings so malicious sites appear as top results. Avoid it by typing official URLs, using bookmarks, and being skeptical of ads or “too perfect” matches. If you must click through search results, verify the domain carefully.

Q: How does the Efimer Trojan steal crypto?
A: It’s a clipper. When you copy a wallet address, Efimer replaces it in your clipboard with the attacker’s address. You paste, send, and funds are lost. Always verify the first and last characters of the address before confirming a transaction.

Q: How can I protect against clipboard-hijacking malware?
A: Run endpoint protection, keep systems updated, and avoid executing script files from email. For crypto, use address whitelisting, hardware wallets with on-device confirmation, QR codes from trusted sources, and test transactions for large transfers.

Q: Is PIX safe?
A: PIX is secure when used through official banking apps and verified payees. The risk comes from fraudulent websites and social engineering. Initiate PIX from your bank’s app, not from links on unfamiliar sites. More info: Banco Central – PIX

Q: What should WordPress admins do to stop their sites from spreading malware?
A: Keep everything updated, remove unused components, enforce 2FA, restrict admin and file permissions, deploy a WAF, and monitor for anomalies. Guidance: Hardening WordPress

Q: Can victims recover funds sent via PIX?
A: Sometimes. Contact your bank right away and request action via the Mecanismo Especial de Devolução (MED). Speed matters—recovery is more likely if you act quickly. Details: Banco Central – MED

Q: How do I report malicious search results?
A: Use Google’s reporting form: Report spam in search results. Also report incidents to your national CSIRT (in Brazil: CERT.br).

Final Takeaway

AI is supercharging both sides of the cybersecurity battle. In Brazil, we’re seeing polished, AI-built phishing sites drive PIX fraud, while the Efimer Trojan quietly siphons crypto by hijacking clipboards and exploiting WordPress at scale. The good news: a few smart habits—verifying domains, initiating payments from trusted apps, blocking risky attachments, and hardening WordPress—shut down most of these attacks.

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AI-Powered Phishing and the Efimer Trojan: How Brazilian Scams Are Stealing Crypto from 5,000+ Victims (and How to Stay Safe)

The Short Version: What’s Going On