“VAT Refund” Scam Email: A Phishing Threat to Steal Your Credentials

Cybercriminals continue to evolve their phishing tactics, and the latest scam making rounds is the “VAT Refund” email scam. This deceptive email campaign impersonates a legitimate government tax agency, claiming that recipients are eligible for a Value Added Tax (VAT) refund. However, clicking on the provided link exposes users to phishing attempts, leading to credential theft, financial loss, and identity fraud.

Threat Summary

Name	VAT Refund Email Scam
Threat Type	Phishing, Scam, Social Engineering, Fraud
Fake Claim	A VAT refund has been processed for the recipient
Disguise	Email from a fake “Federal VAT Authority”
Symptoms	Generic greeting, urgent language, suspicious links, grammatical errors
Detection Names	N/A (VirusTotal)
Related Domain	prosmc[.]site
Distribution Methods	Deceptive emails, rogue online pop-up ads, search engine poisoning, misspelled domains
Damage	Loss of sensitive private information, financial loss, identity theft
Danger Level	High

More About the “VAT Refund” Scam Email

The “VAT Refund” scam email is designed to trick recipients into clicking a malicious link under the false pretense of receiving a tax refund. The email typically includes:

• A fake sender name resembling a tax authority (e.g., “Federal VAT Authority”).
• A deceptive subject line such as “VAT Refund.”
• A link labeled “RECIEVE VAT” (with a spelling error), leading to a fraudulent login page.
• A sense of urgency, pressuring recipients to claim their refund quickly.

Clicking the link redirects users to a fake Google login page, where scammers steal email credentials. Once they gain access, cybercriminals can compromise personal accounts, steal sensitive data, conduct fraud, and spread further phishing emails.

Text Presented in the “VAT Refund” Email

Subject:

VAT Refund

Email Body:

Dear ******,

Please be informed that your VAT Refund covering 2/1/2025 10:31:36 p.m. to 2025, has been successfully submitted with a Net VAT payable amount attached.

To complete the payment, kindly log in to your VAT profile using the link provided below.

[Recieve vat]

Kind regards,  
Federal VAT Authority  
© 2025 *****.com Company. All rights reserved.  
If you no longer wish to receive emails, unsubscribe here.

How to Remove the “VAT Refund” Scam Email (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Do Not Click Any Links

If you receive this email, do not click on any links or buttons. Avoid entering any personal information on the fraudulent website.

Step 2: Report the Phishing Email

• Mark the email as spam in your email provider.
• Report phishing to your email provider (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo!).
• Forward the email to your local tax authority’s fraud department.

Step 3: Scan Your System with SpyHunter

To ensure that your device is safe, run a full system scan using SpyHunter.

How to Use SpyHunter to Remove Malware

1. Download SpyHunter.
2. Install the software and launch it.
3. Run a full system scan to detect any potential malware linked to phishing attempts.
4. Review the scan results and remove any detected threats.
5. Restart your computer to complete the removal process.

Step 4: Change Your Passwords

If you clicked the link and entered your credentials:

• Immediately reset your email password.
• Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security.
• Monitor your accounts for suspicious activity.

How to Prevent Future Phishing Attacks

Always Verify Email Senders

• Check the sender’s email address carefully.
• Legitimate tax authorities use official government domains (e.g., “.gov”).

Look for Red Flags

• Poor grammar or spelling mistakes (e.g., “Recieve vat”).
• Urgent or pressuring language demanding immediate action.
• Suspicious links leading to unfamiliar domains.

Enable Anti-Phishing Features

• Use email filters to block suspicious emails.
• Enable browser security settings to block fraudulent sites.
• Install reputable anti-malware software like SpyHunter.

Keep Your Software Updated

• Regularly update your browser and operating system.
• Ensure antivirus software is up to date.

Educate Yourself and Your Team

• Stay informed about new phishing tactics.
• Train employees on cybersecurity best practices.

Conclusion

The “VAT Refund” scam email is a dangerous phishing attempt that aims to steal sensitive information by deceiving users with fake tax refund claims. Falling for this scam can lead to financial loss, identity theft, and unauthorized account access.

To stay safe, never click on suspicious links, report phishing emails, and use SpyHunter to detect and remove any potential threats. Additionally, adopt best security practices to prevent similar scams in the future.