A tricky new scam is targeting Gmail users with fake emails that look exactly like they’re from Google. According to LatestLY, scammers are sending messages that appear to come from Google’s official email address “[email protected].” These fake messages can fool even careful users because they look so real and sometimes even show up in the same conversation thread as real Google alerts.
The scam was spotted by a user named Nicks D Johnson, who shared his experience on X (formerly Twitter). The fake email claimed a legal document called a “subpoena” (a formal written order requiring someone to provide information) had been issued against his Google account. This scary-sounding message is designed to make people panic and click without thinking.
Why These Fake Emails Look So Real
These aren’t ordinary fake emails. The scammers are using advanced techniques to bypass Google’s security systems. They use something called OAuth and DKIM to make their messages look legitimate. Let me explain these in simple terms:
OAuth is like a special hotel key card for your online accounts. Instead of giving someone your room key (password), OAuth gives apps a special card that only opens certain doors in your account. Normally this is helpful, but scammers can trick this system to send emails that look like they’re from Google itself.
DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) works like a special ink stamp on a letter. When Google sends a real email, it gets this special stamp that proves it really came from Google. Your email program checks for this stamp. The clever part of this scam is that scammers have found ways to reuse old stamps on their fake messages.
How Scammers Bypass Google’s Security
The scammers use something called a “DKIM replay attack.” This is like making a photocopy of an official stamped document. They take old emails that have real Google stamps (DKIM signatures) and resend them with their scam content. Since the stamp looks real, Gmail’s security checks don’t catch them. They also misuse Google’s OAuth system to make emails appear to come from official Google addresses.
What makes this scam extra dangerous is that these fake messages often appear in the same email thread as real Google notifications you’ve received before. They also use official Google logos and writing style to make everything look legitimate. The scammer’s goal is to steal your Gmail password and get into your account.
How to Keep Your Account Safe
Google is aware of the problem and is working on fixing the security holes these scammers are using. But until then, you need to protect yourself. Here’s what you can do:
- Be suspicious of any email that asks you to enter your password, even if it looks like it’s from Google
- Don’t click links in emails that claim there’s an urgent problem with your account
- Turn on two-factor authentication, which is like having both a key and a security code for your house – even if someone gets your password, they still can’t get in without the second code
- Check the email header details if you know how, as these can reveal clues about fake emails
- When in doubt, go directly to your Google account settings by typing the address in your browser, not by clicking email links
If you think you’ve already clicked on one of these fake emails, you should change your Google password right away. Also check your account for any strange settings or permissions that might have been added without your knowledge.
This type of scam shows how criminals keep finding new ways to trick people online. By understanding how these scams work and staying alert, you can keep your important information safe. Remember, real Google messages almost never ask for your password, and when in doubt, it’s always safer to go directly to Google’s website instead of clicking email links.
