⚠️ This phishing scam pretends to be a legitimate business inquiry to steal your login credentials.
The “Request For Prices and Availability” scam is a deceptive email campaign that impersonates a real business request. The message appears professional, often using formal business language and including a company name, phone number, and other realistic details. However, its real purpose is to trick you into opening a malicious link or file that either steals your login credentials or infects your system with malware.
Scam Summary
| Threat Type | Email Phishing / Business Email Compromise |
|---|---|
| Associated Email | Varies (spoofed business emails) |
| Detection Names | Varies by antivirus; often classified as phishing or malicious attachment |
| Symptoms | Email claiming to be a quotation request, includes link or attachment |
| Damage & Distribution | Stolen login credentials, malware infections, compromised business emails |
| Danger Level | High if login credentials or sensitive data are entered or downloaded |
How the “Request For Prices and Availability” Scam Tricks Users
The scam email usually comes from what appears to be a business representative asking for pricing and availability for a specific item. The message might be titled something like:
“Request for Prices & Availability – [Product Name]”
Inside the email, the sender might introduce themselves as part of a company (often a Turkish-sounding business), complete with a legitimate-looking signature block, phone number, and address. The message includes a download link or attachment that supposedly contains the item specifications.
In reality, the link may lead to a fake login page that asks you to “sign in to view the document.” If you enter your credentials there, they’re immediately sent to the attacker. In other cases, the attachment could contain a malicious file — such as a macro-enabled Word document or a disguised executable — which downloads malware.
Full Text of the “Request For Prices and Availability” Message
While the exact wording may vary, here’s a typical example of the scam email:
Subject: Request For Prices and Availability
From: Asli Sara – İstanbul İstif Makinaları Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi
Dear Sir/Madam,
We are interested in your products and would like to request prices and availability for the attached item reference. Kindly download the document below:
[Download Attachment]
Looking forward to your response.
Best regards,
Asli Sara
İstanbul İstif Makinaları Sanayi ve Ticaret Limited Şirketi
Phone: +90 212 875 44 33
Fax: +90 212 875 44 34
⚠️ That “Download Attachment” link typically redirects to a phishing page that mimics Microsoft, Google, or another service provider. Entering your credentials there gives attackers full access to your email account.
What Happens If You Fall for the “Request For Prices and Availability” Scam
If you click the link and enter your login credentials, attackers can:
- Access your email account and scan for banking or business data
- Use your account to send phishing emails to your contacts
- Reset passwords for other linked services
- Engage in invoice fraud or impersonate you in future scams
If you open a malicious attachment, your system may be infected with:
- Password-stealing Trojans
- Keyloggers
- Ransomware
- Remote Access Tools (RATs)
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: How to Protect Yourself From Scams Like This
These types of phishing emails are dangerous because they look professional and target business workflows. Always treat unexpected business inquiries with caution — especially if they include attachments or links. Here’s what you should do:
✅ Safety Tips
- Verify the sender: Look up the company and contact them directly via official channels.
- Check the email address carefully: Scammers often use spoofed or lookalike domains.
- Avoid clicking links or attachments in unexpected emails.
- Never enter credentials on a page you accessed via an email link.
- Enable two-factor authentication on all your accounts.
- Use a reputable anti-malware scanner to check your system if you clicked anything suspicious.
