🚨 Phishing Alert: Fake Admin Emails Asking You to Sign a Document
The “Request By Admin Department” email is a phishing scam designed to trick recipients into handing over their login credentials. The message pretends to come from your organization’s admin team and asks you to review or sign a document, usually an Excel file, through a fake online signature service. Once you click the link or download the attachment, you’re led to a phony Microsoft login page where your credentials are harvested by cybercriminals.
Scam Summary
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Threat Type | Phishing / Email Scam |
| Associated Email | Varies – Spoofed addresses impersonating internal contacts |
| Detection Names | Generic phishing / Suspicious URL / Office-themed scam |
| Symptoms | Fake signature request, Excel attachment, login credential theft |
| Damage & Distribution | Account takeover, identity theft, network breach |
| Danger Level | ⚠️ High – can lead to credential theft & data compromise |
| SpyHunter Link | SpyHunter Security Tool → |
How “Request By Admin Department” Tricks Users
The scam email pretends to be a legitimate message from your admin department or a familiar internal name. It contains an Excel file or a link with text like:
“You have received a new document via Xodo Sign. Please review and sign immediately.”
The Excel file often has a name like Review-Document-0925.xls or something similar. When you open it, or follow the link, you’re taken to a fake Microsoft login page, which captures any credentials you enter. These fake portals look extremely convincing and are designed to bypass suspicion.
Full Text of the “Request By Admin Department” Scam Email
Here’s a typical example of what the message might say:
Subject: Request by Admin Department
Body:
Hello,
Admin Department shared a document with you.
File: “Admin Request – Sep 2025.xlsx”
Please review and sign the attached document via Xodo Sign.
[View Document]
Regards,
Admin Department
⚠️ Note: The “View Document” button leads to a fake login page—not to a real service.
What Happens If You Fall for the “Request By Admin Department” Scam
If you click the link and submit your login credentials:
- Your email account may be immediately compromised
- Attackers could send more phishing emails from your account
- If this is a work email, they may attempt to access your company network
- You risk data theft, financial loss, and even malware infection
- Attackers might use your account to spread ransomware or spyware across your contact list
What to Do If You Clicked the Link or Entered Credentials
- Immediately change your password for the affected email account
- Enable 2FA (two-factor authentication) to block unauthorized access
- If work-related, report it to your IT/security team
- Run a full system scan using trusted antivirus or anti-malware software
- Review your Sent Items and login history for suspicious activity
- If sensitive data was exposed, consider alerting your bank or credit agencies
Stay Safe From Email Phishing Attacks Like This One
✅ Always hover over links to preview the destination before clicking
✅ Don’t open attachments from senders you don’t recognize
✅ Verify unusual requests with the sender via separate communication
✅ Keep antivirus software and your operating system fully updated
✅ Educate your team on phishing tactics and suspicious email behavior
✅ Use a password manager and avoid password reuse
✅ Block known malicious domains at your email gateway
Manual Removal Guide: How to Identify and Remove Email Scams Yourself
Step 1: Recognizing Scam Emails
Before taking action, learn to identify email scams. Some common red flags include:
- Unknown Sender: Emails from unfamiliar addresses, especially if they claim to be from banks, tech support, or government agencies.
- Urgent or Threatening Language: Messages pressuring you to act quickly (e.g., “Your account will be suspended!”).
- Poor Grammar & Spelling Mistakes: Many scam emails contain grammatical errors.
- Suspicious Links or Attachments: Hover over links to check if they lead to an unusual website before clicking.
- Requests for Personal or Financial Information: Legitimate companies will never ask for sensitive details via email.
Step 2: Avoid Interacting with Scam Emails
If an email appears suspicious:
- Do NOT click on any links.
- Do NOT download attachments.
- Do NOT reply to the sender.
Step 3: Report the Email Scam
Reporting scam emails helps prevent others from falling victim to them:
- Gmail/Outlook/Yahoo Users: Click “Report Phishing” or “Report Spam” in your email client.
- FTC (U.S. users): Report scams to the FTC Complaint Assistant.
- Google Safe Browsing: Report phishing sites at Google’s Phishing Report.
Step 4: Block the Sender
To prevent further scam emails from the same sender:
- Gmail: Open the email, click the three dots, and select “Block [Sender Name]”.
- Outlook: Open the email, select “Junk” > “Block Sender”.
- Yahoo Mail: Click “More” > “Block Sender”.
Step 5: Check Your Accounts for Compromise
If you’ve interacted with a scam email:
- Change your passwords immediately. Use strong, unique passwords.
- Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA). Adds an extra security layer.
- Monitor your banking transactions for suspicious activity.
Step 6: Scan Your Device for Malware
If you accidentally clicked a link or downloaded a file, scan your system for malware:
- Windows Users (Windows Defender)
- Go to Settings > Update & Security > Windows Security > Virus & Threat Protection.
- Click “Quick Scan” or “Full Scan”.
- Mac Users
- Use security software like Malwarebytes for Mac to scan for threats.
Step 7: Strengthen Email Security
- Enable spam filtering in your email provider’s settings.
- Use a third-party spam filter such as Spamihilator or Mailwasher.
- Stay educated on phishing techniques to avoid falling for scams in the future.
SpyHunter Removal Guide: Automated Solution for Email Scam Threats
SpyHunter is a powerful anti-malware tool designed to detect and remove phishing-related threats, Trojans, spyware, and other cyber threats. If you prefer a quick and automated solution, follow these steps:
Step 1: Download SpyHunter
- Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
- Click “Download” and save the file.
Step 2: Install SpyHunter
- Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
- Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
- Once installed, launch SpyHunter.
Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan
- Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
- Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
- SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.
Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats
- After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
- Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
- Restart your computer after removal.
Step 5: Enable Real-Time Protection
- Activate SpyHunter’s Active Guards for real-time malware protection.
- Schedule regular system scans for ongoing security.
Step 6: Keep SpyHunter Updated
- Regularly update SpyHunter to detect new threats.
- To update, go to "Settings" > "Update" and click "Check for Updates".
How to Prevent Future Email Scams
To avoid falling for email scams in the future, follow these precautions:
Use a Secure Email Provider
Consider using encrypted email services like ProtonMail or Tutanota for enhanced security.
Avoid Clicking Suspicious Links
Always verify links before clicking by hovering over them to see the actual URL.
Use a VPN on Public Wi-Fi
Scammers can intercept your data on public networks. Use a VPN for secure browsing.
Regularly Change Your Passwords
Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.
Install Anti-Phishing Browser Extensions
Use security extensions like Bitdefender TrafficLight or Avast Online Security to detect phishing attempts.
Email scams pose a significant risk to personal and financial security. By following this manual removal guide, you can effectively identify and remove scam emails. For those seeking a fast and automated approach, SpyHunter provides a reliable solution to detect and remove email scam-related threats.
Take Action Now
Protect your device from scam-related malware with SpyHunter: Download SpyHunter
Conclusion
The “Request By Admin Department” email is a textbook phishing campaign using fake urgency and familiar branding to deceive users. The moment you enter your credentials on a bogus page, you’ve handed attackers a key to your inbox—and possibly your whole digital identity. Always stay skeptical of unsolicited signature or document requests, especially if they seem unexpected or oddly phrased.
