Keep an eye out for fraudulent emails that masquerade as booking notifications from airlines such as Qatar Airways.
The emails thank you for making a booking and feature the targetted airline’s logo and footer information. Supposedly, clicking the links in the emails opens a website with details about the booking.
But, in fact, the links open a decidedly dodgy pharmacy website that tries to sell you various medications without the need for a doctor’s prescription.
The spammers hope that at least some recipients will remain on the website and buy its products even after they realise that the email is fraudulent and has no connection to the airline it mentions.
And, apparently, the tactic works.
Spammers have repeatedly used faked notification emails from many high profile online companies in recent years.
It is very unwise to buy products from these dodgy online drugstore websites. Because you do not need a prescription, you have no way of knowing if the medication you are buying is the real thing. In reality, it could be some dangerous or useless substitute. The medication may be ineffective or it may interfere with other medications you are using with adverse results.
If you receive one of these spam emails do not click on any of the links in the message. Just hit the delete key.
Screenshot of the emails:
Transcript:
Dear valued customer,
Thank you for booking with [removed]
We have received your booking under reference 5831-84 and are reviewing your payment.Yours sincerely,
Qatar Airways SupportYou can also view the details of this request by following this link:[removed]
* Terms and conditions apply