By Joe Seanor, CISSP | Cyber Investigator & Network Security Expert
One click. That’s all it takes to compromise an entire network.
You’ve heard the warnings about phishing emails. But most people still assume they’ll recognize one when they see it. As a cyber investigator, I can tell you firsthand—that confidence is exactly what scammers prey on.
Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on real phishing emails I’ve encountered in the wild, breaking down what made them dangerous, and showing you how to spot the red flags before it’s too late.
Phishing Example #1: The “Urgent Invoice” Trap
Subject: RE: Unpaid Invoice #74982 – Urgent Action Required
Sender: accounting@secure-payments[dot]net
This email was sent to a small business accounting department. It included a PDF attachment labeled “Invoice_74982.pdf” and a link to “review payment details.”
Why It Worked:
- Looked professional with a clean template
- Used real vendor names scraped from LinkedIn
- Imitated urgency by referencing overdue payment
What Made It Dangerous:
- The PDF had a malicious macro that triggered on open
- The link redirected to a fake Microsoft 365 login to steal credentials
Red Flags You Can Spot:
- Unfamiliar domain (secure-payments[dot]net)
- Urgency and pressure to act fast
- Link that doesn’t match the sender’s actual website
✅ Rule: Never open attachments or click links in unexpected financial emails. Always confirm directly with the sender via phone.
Phishing Example #2: The “Boss Request” Impersonation
Subject: Need you to handle a task ASAP
Sender: ceo.john.davis@gmail.com
Sent to a company’s HR coordinator, this email looked like it came from their CEO and requested that W-2 forms be sent over for a “compliance audit.”
Why It Worked:
- Timed for end-of-quarter tax season
- Used the CEO’s real name and writing style
- Created urgency and secrecy: “Handle this quietly.”
What Made It Dangerous:
- Attempted to trick the employee into leaking sensitive employee data
- Used a spoofed display name to impersonate leadership
Red Flags:
- Personal Gmail address for a CEO
- Vague language with no context
- No standard company signature
✅ Rule: Always verify unusual or urgent requests—especially those involving sensitive data—with a phone call or secure messaging app.
Phishing Example #3: The “IT Support” Scam
Subject: Action Required: Office365 Quarantine Notice
Sender: it-support@company365-mail[dot]com
This one posed as the company’s own IT department, telling employees they had quarantined messages waiting. The link led to a fake login page that harvested passwords.
Why It Worked:
- It mimicked a real Microsoft quarantine notification
- Used the company’s name and font styling
- Caught employees during early Monday morning email checks
Red Flags:
- Domain name didn’t match the real company’s IT email
- Link hovered over revealed a non-Microsoft domain
- Misspelled words in the email footer
✅ Rule: If something feels off, don’t click. Go to the service’s official site directly (not through the email) to check messages.
New Trends to Watch in 2025
Phishing isn’t static. It’s evolving fast, especially with AI tools. Here’s what I’m seeing as major trends this year:
- AI-generated emails that mimic coworkers’ tone perfectly
- QR code phishing (you scan, then get directed to malicious sites)
- Thread hijacking, where attackers reply to a real email chain with a malicious payload
- Phishing via SMS (smishing) and collaboration tools like Slack, Teams, and Zoom chat
Final Thoughts
If you think phishing scams are obvious, think again.
Today’s attacks are well-researched, well-written, and shockingly convincing. And while spam filters are getting smarter, human judgment is still your best defense.
Remember: when in doubt, don’t click. Verify first.
Stay secure,
Joe Seanor
CISSP | Private Cybersecurity Consultant