A Definite Non-Geek Calling For Help Please! What have I clicked on??

[BBInGinDrinking]

Hello Geeks - and I mean that as a compliment! I'm definitely lacking in the geeky knowledge department unfortunately, and would really appreciate some advice and help from those who aren't.

I received an email today from an old pal. I thought they'd sent me some details about a couple of things, and so clicked on the 2 links in the email. The first seemed to take me to an image of the Google search page. The second seemed to take me to an item in the Mirror online about bitcoins. I was baffled about this, as I'd no idea why my pal would send me links to either. It was only when I went to reply to my friend's email that I saw the address was slightly different - instead of ending in btopenworld etc, it ended 012.net.il

I emailed my friend instead on their usual email address and they replied, confirming they knew nothing about it, and it must be a scam.

So far I've avoided being taken in by emails, texts and calls with bank, building society, and PayPal scams - I thought I was doing OK for a Non-Geek. But this email seemingly from a pal took me in. I'm worried about how they got my email address, how they got my friend's email address, and what will happen as a result of clicking on the 2 links. My email is a BT account and I opened the rogue email on my phone.

The one to the bitcoins article was
carreradesantas.com/.well-known/acme-challenge/aftersales/install-xaff/accueil.php?song=a10dytn3Fredsng50

Can anyone help with this please?

Sorry, the ending has a small f, so 3fredsng50

The second link, which seemed to go to Google search or an image of it, is
www.google.com/search?ei=EUG-0pmvx8AdXXGpzEFeFwQAHZms1BSRbdX&gs l=gwckc09ex12b95vt

Tumbleweed blows around the thread....

The second link does go to Google search, not an image.

As you are worried about the effect of clicking on the links you should not have posted them here. The Google link is safe but the other one is not. As you opened it on your phone rather than your PC you are probably safe but, if you want to be sure, download a reputable antivirus app for your phone and scan it.

It is impossible to know for sure how they got hold of your friend's email address and yours. It may be that your friend's PC is infected with a virus, or their email account has been hacked, or it could be simply that someone has intercepted an email from them to you. There is nothing you can do to stop that kind of thing happening. Just make sure your PC is protected and treat any unexpected emails from friends as suspicious.

Thank you for your reply, prh47bridge. I appreciate it.

Just to emphasise that I am not suggesting anyone clicks on either of links that were sent to me, (unless you are confident you can do it safely). It was more to ask whether anyone with more tech knowledge and experience recognised this sort of thing, could tell me what the possible consequences are of having clicked on them, and if I need to do anything about it?

(What did the person who got hold of the email addresses and sent me the links hope to achieve - what's in it for them?)

They hope you will click on the first link then sign up to the site they recommend for bitcoin trading and "invest" at least £200. That site is a scam. Anyone who "invests" will never see their money again.

Ah, I didn't enter any details or buy anything, so hopefully my millions are safe. I was concerned about a virus, trojan horse (whatever that is), my email account or phone being taken over and shadowed, or my bank account accessed. My bank has put a note on my account just in case.

Thanks again, prh47bridge, much appreciated.