What is a mail scam and how can you protect yourself?

Email scams are one of the most common forms of digital fraud today. This type of cybercrime has multiplied in recent years, affecting both individuals and businesses. In this article we will explore what is an email scamIn this article we will explore what a scam email is, real examples that have had great repercussions, how to identify these fraudulent emails and what to do to prevent them.

What is a mail scam?

An email scam occurs when a cybercriminal sends a message designed to trick the recipient into obtaining personal or financial data or access to systems. This type of deception is commonly known as phishing, but there are also other variants such as CEO fraud or spoofing.

How does a mail scam work?

The process usually follows the following steps:

1. The attacker sends an email pretending to be from a trusted source (a bank, a social network, a well-known company).

2. The message contains a link or file that when clicked or opened can steal information or install malware.

3. The user, falling for the scam, provides sensitive data such as passwords or card numbers.

Real mail scam cases that went around the world

Case 1: CEO fraud in a European company

In 2019, a German company lost more than €240,000 after receiving a fraudulent email pretending to come from the CEO. The message requested an urgent transfer to an offshore account. The employees, believing it to be legitimate, carried out the operation. Days later, it was confirmed that the whole thing was a mail scam.

Case 2: Fake PayPal emails

During 2020 and 2021, thousands of users received emails mimicking PayPal, reporting “suspicious activity” on their accounts. The link took them to a fake page identical to the official site, where they entered their credentials. It was a massive phishing campaign that affected thousands of users worldwide.

Case 3: COVID-19 Scams

With the pandemic, cybercriminals took advantage of the situation to send emails pretending to be from the Ministry of Health or organizations such as the WHO. They offered false information about vaccines, aid or health alerts with malicious links, another highly effective form of email scam due to the emotional context.

How to identify a mail scam?

Warning signs:

• Urgent mails asking for personal or bank details.

• Links with suspicious URLs (misspelled or shortened domains).

• Unknown senders or senders with strange addresses.

• Unsolicited attachments (especially .exe, .zip, .scr).

• Spelling or grammatical errors.

Tip: If in doubt, don’t click. Check with the official source directly.

What to do if I receive a suspicious email?

Steps to follow:

1. Do not open links or attachments.

2. Do not respond to the message.

3. Mark the email as spam or phishing.

4. Inform your mail provider or the impersonated entity.

5. Change your passwords if you have shared data by mistake.

6. Enable two-step verification.

How to prevent a mail scam?

Basic recommendations:

• Use a good antivirus and keep it updated.

• Activate anti-spam filters in your inbox.

• Do not share personal information in e-mails.

• Educate your employees if you are a company.

• Check the mail headers to see if the sender is legitimate.

Useful tools:

• Have I Been Pwnedto find out if your data has been leaked.

• Browsers with protection against malicious sites.

• Phishing detection services for businesses.

Frequently asked questions about mail scams

What types of mail scams are there?

• Classic phishing: impersonation of services.

• Spear phishing: targeting a specific person or company.

• CEO fraud: impersonation of senior management.

• Romance scams: targeting emotionally vulnerable people.

• Scams involving fake prizes: such as lotteries or sweepstakes that do not exist.

Can a company be the victim of a mail scam?

Yes, and often. Companies are the target of more sophisticated attacks. In these cases, the economic impact can be devastating if adequate protocols are not in place.

Can the police trace a mail scam?

It depends on the case. Many times, scammers use foreign servers and tools to hide their identity. However, reporting is always recommended, as it may be part of a larger investigation.