Solvay – New Business Relationships Email Scam

Phishing emails and scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated, and one such example is the “Solvay – New Business Relationships” email scam. This fraudulent email is designed to trick unsuspecting recipients into revealing personal and financial information or transferring money to the scammers. Below, we provide an in-depth look at this threat, how to identify it, and a step-by-step guide on how to remove it using SpyHunter. We will also discuss prevention methods to ensure future protection against similar scams.

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Threat Overview

The “Solvay – New Business Relationships” email scam appears to come from a legitimate company, SOLVAY SA, which is a global supplier of materials and chemicals. However, the scam email is a cleverly disguised phishing attempt. Scammers use this email to steal sensitive data such as credit card details, ID card information, and other personal data. They may also trick victims into paying fake fees, leading to financial loss.

Summary of the Threat

Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	SOLVAY SA seeks new suppliers for equipment.
Attachment	Solvay SA_ Request For Quotation.pdf
Disguise	Urgent inquiry for product supply
Symptoms	Unauthorized purchases, identity theft, computer breaches, changed passwords
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, rogue ads, search engine poisoning, misspelled domains
Damage	Identity theft, monetary loss, compromised personal data
Danger Level	High (due to personal and financial risks)

Detailed Analysis of the Scam

Email Content Breakdown

When examining the email message, it's clear that the scammers are aiming to impersonate SOLVAY SA to lure the recipient into a false sense of security. Here's the email text, which is meant to elicit an immediate response and trick the recipient into acting quickly:

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Subject: Inquiry For An Urgent Supply

Good day,

In our aim to enhance supplier's list in 2025 and the goal to establish new business relationships by giving opportunity to more SMEs and Large Enterprises.

SOLVAY SA would like to extend a Global e-Procurement request to you / your company for possible supply and delivery of equipment for ongoing projects.

Product Code: MODL874YTG-4R8HNG09VM
Product: MODL874YTG-4R8HNG09VM GEAR PUMP
Quantity: 38 Pieces

Could you kindly let us have your best quotation? You are hereby free to source and supply the product at a reasonable mark-up price or make a referral to us if your company falls out of this scope of work.

Attached to this email is our RFQ document and the product needed. Please note that this is an urgent request, hence we kindly require these components at your earliest convenience.

Thank you in anticipation of your valued quote.

Compulsory, Quotation should be submitted to the Procurement Manager below:
Luc De Groote
E-mail: orders@solvay-tender.com
Direct Tel: +32 3 3320151

Yours sincerely,
Our Team

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This email looks like a legitimate request for a business quote, and it even includes a name ("Luc De Groote") and phone number to seem more credible. However, several red flags indicate it is a scam:

• The urgency of the request ("urgent supply") is designed to make recipients act impulsively.
• The attachment (RFQ document) could contain malicious links or prompts for the recipient to disclose sensitive information.
• The email address used for communication (orders@solvay-tender.com) is not associated with the official SOLVAY domain, which should be a clear indication that the email is a scam.

Fake Document Details

The email also includes an attachment titled "Solvay SA_ Request For Quotation.pdf" (the name may vary). This document likely contains the same fraudulent message as the email itself. It might ask the recipient to provide a quotation or submit financial information. Opening such attachments can expose the recipient to various malicious threats like ransomware or keyloggers, which can capture personal data or financial information.

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Symptoms of Infection

• Unauthorized Online Purchases: If you respond to this scam, scammers might gain access to your financial data, leading to unauthorized transactions.
• Identity Theft: Scammers may steal sensitive personal details like IDs, which could be used for identity theft.
• Changes to Online Account Passwords: If you provide your login credentials or other sensitive information, scammers may gain access to your online accounts.
• Compromised Computer: If the attached document is a malicious file, it could infect your computer, steal your personal data, or lock your files for ransom.

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How the Scam is Delivered

Scammers use several distribution methods to spread the "Solvay - New Business Relationships" phishing scam:

• Deceptive Emails: The scam email is sent directly to the victim's inbox, disguised as a legitimate business inquiry.
• Rogue Online Ads: Scammers may also use rogue online advertisements to lure victims into clicking on malicious links.
• Search Engine Poisoning: Some scammers manipulate search engine results to display their phishing links as legitimate business-related requests.
• Misspelled Domains: Fraudulent email addresses with minor domain name changes (like "solvay-tender.com" instead of "solvay.com") mislead the victim into thinking the email is from a trusted source.

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Damage Caused by the Scam

• Monetary Loss: Victims may be tricked into paying fake fees for the supply of nonexistent products.
• Identity Theft: Providing personal details or login information may allow the scammers to steal identities.
• Data Loss: If the email includes malicious attachments, it may lead to the loss of personal files or data breaches.
• Reputation Damage: If your company becomes involved in this scam, your reputation could be tarnished due to association with fraudulent activities.

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Removing the Threat

SpyHunter is a powerful malware removal tool designed to detect and eliminate phishing scams, malware, and other online threats. Here's how to use SpyHunter to remove this threat:

1. Install SpyHunter: If you haven't already, download and install SpyHunter.
2. Run a Full System Scan: Open SpyHunter and perform a full system scan to detect any phishing files, ransomware, or malware that may have been downloaded via the scam email.
3. Remove Detected Threats: Once the scan is complete, SpyHunter will present a list of threats found. Click "Remove" to eliminate any identified malware or phishing threats.
4. Quarantine or Delete Malicious Files: SpyHunter may recommend quarantining or deleting certain files. Follow the on-screen instructions to ensure these files are fully removed.
5. Monitor for Future Threats: After removing the threats, SpyHunter will provide ongoing protection and notifications for any future phishing attempts or malware infections.

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Preventive Methods to Avoid Future Phishing Scams:

1. Educate Employees and Users: Train your team or family members to recognize phishing emails and scams.
2. Use Strong Spam Filters: Enable advanced spam filtering features on your email account to block suspicious emails automatically.
3. Check Email Addresses: Always verify the legitimacy of an email address, especially when dealing with unsolicited business inquiries.
4. Avoid Opening Unknown Attachments: Never open attachments or click on links from unfamiliar senders.
5. Use Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Protect your online accounts with MFA to add an extra layer of security.
6. Keep Software Up-to-Date: Regularly update your antivirus software and system to ensure you're protected against the latest threats.
7. Report Phishing Attempts: Report phishing emails to your email provider and, if necessary, to the authorities.

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Conclusion

The "Solvay - New Business Relationships" email scam is a dangerous phishing attempt designed to steal personal and financial information from unsuspecting victims. If you receive such an email, delete it immediately and avoid engaging with any of the provided links, attachments, or contact details. By following the provided removal and prevention methods, you can protect yourself and your business from future phishing threats.

If you are still having trouble, consider contacting remote technical support options.