“Offer For The Below Items” Phishing Scam

Cybercriminals are using sophisticated phishing scams to trick unsuspecting users into revealing sensitive login credentials. One such deceptive email campaign is titled “Offer For The Below Items.” This scam misleads recipients into opening a malicious Microsoft Excel file that directs them to a phishing website designed to steal their email login credentials.

Falling victim to this phishing attempt can lead to identity theft, financial losses, and further security breaches. This article provides a comprehensive overview of this threat, including its symptoms, dangers, and a thorough removal and prevention guide.

“Offer For The Below Items” Scam Overview

The “Offer For The Below Items” email appears as a purchase inquiry, requesting the recipient to provide an offer for certain products listed in an attached Microsoft Excel file. Once the recipient downloads and opens the file, they are redirected to a fraudulent login page designed to capture their email account credentials.

Cybercriminals exploit these stolen credentials to hijack email accounts, access sensitive data, and engage in fraudulent activities such as identity theft and unauthorized financial transactions.

Threat Summary Table

Name	“Offer For The Below Items” phishing email
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	Recipient is requested to provide an offer for the items detailed in the document.
Symptoms	Unauthorized online purchases, changed online account passwords, identity theft, illegal access to accounts.
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning techniques, misspelled domains.
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, monetary loss, identity theft.
Danger Level	High

“Offer For The Below Items” Phishing Email Text

Below is the exact text of the email used in this scam:

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Subject: ENQUIRY

Dear -,

Please send me an offer for the below items;

DOWNLOAD RFQ.XLS

Best Regards,

Hydrotec International L.L.C
Prinson Veigas
P.O.BOX 3298, PC 112
Sultanate of Oman

GSM: +968 92839288
Working Hours: Sunday to Thursday 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Weekly Off: Friday and Saturday
Tel: 00968 24437036/24437041
Fax: 00968 24437255

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How This Phishing Scam Works

1. Victim Receives an Email: The email appears to be a legitimate business inquiry from Hydrotec International L.L.C.
2. Victim Clicks the Malicious File: The email contains a link to DOWNLOAD RFQ.XLS (a supposed request for quotation file).
3. Victim Is Redirected to a Phishing Site: Clicking the link leads to a webpage impersonating Microsoft Excel, asking the victim to log in to verify they are not a robot.
4. Cybercriminals Steal Credentials: If the victim enters their credentials, the data is transmitted to cybercriminals.
5. Hackers Exploit Stolen Data: The stolen login details can be used to access email accounts, perform identity theft, and spread malware.

How to Remove “Offer For The Below Items” Phishing Scam

If you have interacted with this phishing email and provided your credentials, take immediate action to secure your accounts.

Step 1: Change Compromised Passwords

• Immediately change the password of your email account and any other services that share the same credentials.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for additional security.

Step 2: Scan Your System for Malware Using SpyHunter

The phishing attack may also install malware on your system. Use SpyHunter to detect and remove potential threats:

1. Download and Install SpyHunter
   • Download the tool.
   • Install SpyHunter following the on-screen instructions.
2. Run a Full System Scan
   • Open SpyHunter and select Start Scan Now.
   • Wait for the scan to complete and review the detected threats.
3. Remove Identified Malware
   • Click Fix Threats to remove any detected malware.
   • Restart your computer to ensure complete removal.

Step 3: Check Your Email Account for Unauthorized Access

Review your account activity logs for suspicious sign-ins. Remove any unknown forwarding rules or filters set up by hackers.

Step 4: Report the Scam

• Report the phishing email to your email provider (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo, etc.).
• Notify your IT department if you use a corporate email.
• Report the scam to anti-phishing authorities such as the Anti-Phishing Working Group (APWG).

Preventive Measures to Avoid Future Phishing Attacks

Be Wary of Suspicious Emails

• Verify the sender’s email address before clicking any links.
• Look for grammatical errors, generic greetings, or urgent demands.

Avoid Clicking Unverified Links

• Hover over links before clicking to inspect their actual destination.
• If in doubt, visit the official website manually.

Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA)

2FA adds an extra security layer, making it harder for hackers to access your account.

Use Strong and Unique Passwords

Use a password manager to generate and store secure passwords.

Regularly Scan Your System for Malware

Schedule regular SpyHunter scans to detect potential threat

Keep Software and Security Tools Updated

Regularly update your operating system and security software to patch vulnerabilities.

Conclusion

The “Offer For The Below Items” phishing scam is a highly deceptive email campaign designed to steal email credentials and compromise victims’ accounts. If you have interacted with this email, take immediate action to secure your data by changing passwords, scanning for malware, and reporting the scam.

By staying vigilant and following cybersecurity best practices, you can protect yourself from falling victim to similar phishing attacks in the future.