The Leave Request Form Scam

Late June 2025 brought a new wave of phishing attacks targeting corporate inboxes. A message, seemingly from Human Resources, asked employees to fill out a routine “Leave Request Form – June 2025.” On the surface, it looked harmless—standard office communication. But behind that request hid a credential-stealing trap.

One employee clicked the link, expecting to land on the HR portal. Instead, they unknowingly handed over their email login credentials to a well-disguised phishing site. Hours later, their email account was used to distribute the same scam internally. A single mistake multiplied the risk across the company.

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Threat Overview

This is a credential phishing scam masked as an internal document from HR. The attacker impersonates an HR department and urges the recipient to access or complete a “Leave Request Form.” The link redirects to a fake login page that mimics common webmail providers. Once entered, credentials are harvested and potentially exploited for broader attacks.

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In-Depth Analysis

Infection Vector

This scam lands via email. The sender’s address mimics an internal HR contact. Subject lines reference time-sensitive topics like “Leave Request Form – June 2025,” exploiting urgency to coax the user into quick action.

Clicking the embedded link opens a domain with a realistic appearance—often a forged Microsoft 365 or Google login page. These domains are typically hosted on low-reputation platforms like *.amplifyapp.com or similar. There’s no real document. The goal is simple: steal the user’s email login.

Behavioral Profile

Once the victim lands on the phishing page:

1. They enter their email and password, assuming they’re accessing a work form.
2. The attacker’s server records the login.
3. Victim may be redirected to a broken link or see an error—nothing seems too unusual.
4. Meanwhile, attackers begin testing the stolen credentials.
5. If successful, the compromised inbox is used to continue spreading the same lure within the organization or exfiltrate data.

The scam doesn’t install malware directly—it weaponizes trust and familiarity.

Risk Assessment

This scam represents a high risk, particularly in corporate environments. A breached inbox can:

• Expose sensitive internal communications.
• Be used to reset other service accounts.
• Serve as a launchpad for more convincing spear-phishing attacks.
• Cause business interruption and financial loss.

Cases like this have become more frequent in the hybrid-work era, where employees rely heavily on email for official communications.

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Artifact Text

Subject: Leave Request Form – June 2025
Email Body:

HR has shared the latest document, “Leave Request Form – June 2025,” with you.
Please fill it out as soon as possible.
[Fill Out Leave Form]

This button or link routes to a spoofed login page. Once credentials are entered, attackers gain full access to the email account.

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What to Do If You Clicked

Act fast—every minute counts.

1. Change your email password immediately. Use a device you trust.
2. Enable multi-factor authentication (MFA). If already active, reset app-based codes.
3. Notify your IT or security team. Let them trace any internal misuse.
4. Check email forwarding rules. Attackers often set auto-forwards to monitor silently.
5. Run a complete antivirus scan. Although no files are typically dropped, it rules out layered attacks.
6. Inform colleagues. If you see signs of internal spread, warn others not to click.

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Prevention Tips

• Verify before clicking. Confirm with HR via phone or internal messaging tools if something looks off.
• Inspect links. Hover over them. Official internal forms don’t use domains like amplifyapp.com.
• Train employees. Security awareness isn’t optional. Regular simulations help condition caution.
• Deploy email filtering tools. Advanced threat detection can flag suspicious senders or domains.
• Limit data access. If one account is compromised, least-privilege access helps minimize exposure.

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.

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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

1. Visit the official SpyHunter download page: Download SpyHunter
2. Click “Download” and save the file.

Step 2: Install SpyHunter

1. Open the downloaded file (SpyHunter-Installer.exe).
2. Follow the on-screen installation instructions.
3. Once installed, launch SpyHunter.

Step 3: Perform a Full System Scan

1. Open SpyHunter and go to “Malware/PC Scan”.
2. Click “Start Scan Now” to begin scanning.
3. SpyHunter will detect threats linked to email scams.

Step 4: Review and Remove Detected Threats

1. After the scan completes, SpyHunter will display a list of detected threats.
2. Click "Fix Threats" to remove them.
3. 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".

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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.

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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

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Conclusion

This scam capitalizes on workplace trust. By mimicking HR language and routines, attackers trick employees into self-compromise. No software exploit needed—just clever wording and a sense of urgency. Vigilance, verification, and layered defenses remain the most effective response. Organizations must treat email security not as a technical task, but as a critical pillar of operational resilience.