How to recognize phishing emails like Spam Quarantine Inbox

What kind of scam is "Spam Quarantine Inbox"?

We have analyzed the text and links presented in this email and concluded that it is a typical phishing email that scammers use to trick recipients into providing sensitive information. It is disguised as a letter from an email service provided. It contains links to phishing websites asking to enter login credentials.

"Spam Quarantine Inbox" email scam in detail

Scammers behind this email attempt to trick recipients into believing that several incoming emails have been suspended due to the exceeded quota limit. The email contains "Deliver", "Whitelist", and "Delete" hyperlinks designed to open a fake Webmail page asking to enter login credentials (email address and password).

Providing login credentials on the website presented in this phishing email allows scammers to hijack email and other accounts accessed using the provided information. Having personal accounts stolen can lead to monetary loss, identity theft, and other issues. Those accounts may be used to send this (or other) phishing emails, deliver malware, and other malicious purposes.

Phishing emails in general

Scammers behind emails of this type impersonate legitimate companies or other entities. Either way, their goal is to trick recipients into providing sensitive information. Examples of similar scams are "NAVY FEDERAL CREDIT UNION Email Scam", "Your Transfer Expires In Two Days! Email Scam", "Validate Now Email Scam". It is important to know that links and files in emails can be malicious.

How do spam campaigns infect computers?

When an email is sent by cybercriminals who attempt to trick recipients into infecting computers with malware, it contains a malicious attachment or link. Computers get infected after a malicious file downloaded from an email is executed. Examples of files used in malspam campaigns are MS Office, PDF documents, JavaScript files, executables, archives.

How to avoid installation of malware?

Do not open files and links in suspicious emails sent from unknown addresses. Usually, emails used to deliver malware are not relevant to their recipients. Also, they are disguised as important/official letters from legitimate entities. Download software from legitimate sources - use official websites and direct links to download software and files.

Keep the operating system and programs installed on it up to date. Use tools provided by the official developers to update and activate the software. If you've already opened malicious attachments, we recommend running a scan with Combo Cleaner Antivirus for Windows to automatically eliminate infiltrated malware.

Text presented in the "Spam Quarantine Inbox email scam" email letter:

Subject: CAUTION : 4 INCOMING MESSAGES SUSPENDED DUE TO EMAIL QUOTA LIMIT EXCEEDED

 

Dear - ,

Your email box ******** has 4 incoming message(s) in spam quarantine inbox

11/03/2022

02:43
E-Advice-Outward Remittance 09OTT0920C064070
JollyBalloon - Nelson
From: accounts@hsbcbank.com
To:  ********
Deliver Whitelist Delete

12/03/2022

14:34
Fwd: Order Request 200238 [2]
Martin Ellies Maximus
From: sales1@acelity.com
To: ********
Deliver Whitelist Delete

14/03/2022

04:17
Contract/Project POGHMB106785 Attached.
Zhou Chris Wu
From: info.s001.bestmexports.@163.com
To: ********
Deliver Whitelist Delete

14/03/2022

07:48
Open Proforma Invoice & TT copy.
michele sousa silva
From: mi_zuanne@yahoo.com.br
To:  ********
Deliver Whitelist Delete
Manage Mailbox: Spam(4)
This is your mailbox quarantine summary from the - Anti-Spam System for ******** .

The quarantine report is generated at 6:00am. To view the most update spam folder or blacklist sender, please login your email.
Deliver Deliver the message to your mailbox.
Whitelist Deliver the message to your mailbox and white list the sender so that his/her message will no longer be quarantined.
Delete Delete the message permanently.

Screenshot of the fake Webmail website promoted via this email:

Other examples of email quarantine-themed spam promoting a phishing sites:

Sample 1:

Text presented within:

Subject: ********* Ticket #81620614: You have 1 or more errors in Your ********* Account: ref:_00Gf218t5m._5004U1nxS32:ref

My Account
 ********* Quarantine Error
Hi info,

Spam quarantine error report occured on *********.

You have  (10) Important Messages  on the Quarantine server.
This is due to a ********* server error. Fix error below to receiving pending emails.
Fix All Pending Issues Here
IMPORTANT: Failure to carry out above excercise might lead to account lock, unauthorized password reset until necessary action is taken.
Email(s) Accounts Under Quarantine
Name     Account Owner     Active
*********     info     Yes
Please note that you can only download or read the message with the email *********  this message was sent to
No third-party access.

WHY *********

MY ACCOUNT

HOW TO FIX
About Us   |   Support   |   Privacy Policy   |   Terms & Conditions  |  Account Login
Copyright © 2022 *********

This informational email was sent to *********

Sample 2:

Text presented within:

Subject: Mail Quarantine Notification for -

 

Spam Quarantine Notification

The message(s) below have been blocked by your administrator as suspected spam.

There are 2 new messages in your Email Quarantine since you received your last Spam Quarantine Notification. If the messages below are spam, you do not need to take any action. Messages will be automatically removed from the quarantine after 180 day(s).

To see all quarantined messages view  your email quarantine.

Quarantined Email
From     Subject     Date
Release     supplier.reg     [SPAM] Online Supplier registration despatch pending with Su...     19 Dec 2022
Release     supplier.reg     [SPAM] Online Supplier registration despatch pending with Su...     26 Oct 2022
View All Quarantined Messages(39)

Note: This message has been sent by a notification only system. Please do not reply

Sample 3:

Text presented within:

Subject: IronPort Spam Quarantine Notification

IronPort Spam Quarantine Notification

NOTE: This notification mail is valid for 7 day(s). After 7 day(s), please access the Spam Quarantine directly to review quarantined emails.

HINWEIS: Diese Benachrichtigungs-E-Mail ist 7 Tag(e) lang gültig. Nach 7 Tag(en) greifen Sie bitte direkt auf die Spam-Quarantäne zu, um quarantänierte E-Mails zu überprüfen.

Die nachfolgenden Nachrichten wurden von Ihrem Administrator als vermuteter Spam blockiert.

Es gibt 1 neue Nachrichten in Ihrer EMail-Quarantäne, seitdem Sie die letzte Spam-Quarantäne-Benachrichtigung erhalten haben. Falls die untenstehenden Nachrichten Spam sind, müssen Sie keine Maßnahmen ergreifen. Nachrichten werden automatisch nach 14 Tag(en) aus der Quarantäne entfernt.

Um alle quarantänierten Nachrichten anzuzeigen, besuchen Sie Ihre E-Mail-Quarantäne.

E-Mail in der Quarantäne
Von Betreff Datum
Freigeben "Stanwood Warhurst"

Instant automatic malware removal:

Manual threat removal might be a lengthy and complicated process that requires advanced IT skills. Combo Cleaner is a professional automatic malware removal tool that is recommended to get rid of malware. Download it by clicking the button below:

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Types of malicious emails:

If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file from a suspicious email, run a full system scan with Combo Cleaner. If you only received the email and didn't engage with it, you don't need to scan anything - just identify the scam and delete it. The full procedure below covers both situations and what to do if you already clicked, replied, or sent money.

Credential theft Phishing emails

Fake login pages disguised as PayPal, Microsoft, Apple, banks, or social networks. The email pushes a link to a near-perfect copy of the real login screen. The moment you type your username and password, the attacker has them.

Common subject lines

• "Action required: confirm your account"
• "Your password expires today"
• "Unusual sign-in attempt detected"
• "Verify your billing information"

Malware delivery Emails with malicious attachments

Trojans hidden inside fake invoices, faxes, shipping confirmations, or Office documents. Opening the attachment runs the payload and infects the system - often with an info-stealer or remote-access trojan.

Common subject lines

• "Invoice INV-2026-XXXX attached"
• "Fax received - 3 pages"
• "Your shipping document is ready"
• "Voicemail from +1-XXX-XXX-XXXX"

Extortion Sextortion emails

Fake claims of webcam recordings demanding cryptocurrency. Almost always a bluff: the attacker pulls a real password from an old data breach to make the threat look credible, then claims to have video of you. They have no recording and no access.

Common subject lines

• "I know your password is XXXX"
• "Your account has been hacked"
• "I have recorded you - 48 hours to pay"
• "You have been compromised"

Callback fraud Refund & callback scams

"Your subscription was renewed for $499 - call to cancel." Norton, McAfee, Geek Squad, PayPal, and Wells Fargo variants are all common. There's no real subscription. The phone number in the email connects directly to the scammer, who walks you through "refunding" yourself - which is actually them stealing money from your bank.

Common subject lines

• "Norton subscription auto-renewed - $499.99"
• "McAfee Total Protection invoice"
• "Geek Squad order confirmation"
• "Your PayPal payment is being processed"

Credential theft Account suspension & verification scams

"Your account will be deleted in 24 hours - verify now." The artificial deadline is the whole point: it pressures you to click before checking details. The "verify" link goes to a phishing page styled to look like the real provider.

Common subject lines

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Suspicious activity detected - verify now"
• "Final warning: account closure"
• "Action required to keep your account active"

Mixed payload Delivery & package scams

Fake DHL, USPS, UPS, or FedEx tracking, customs fees, or "package undeliverable" notices. Targets anyone expecting a parcel - the timing alone catches many people. The link hides either phishing (asking for card details to "release" the package) or a malware download.

Common subject lines

• "Your DHL package is held at customs"
• "USPS - delivery attempt failed"
• "FedEx tracking update - action required"
• "Pay $2.99 redelivery fee to release your parcel"

Remote access Tech support scams

Fake Microsoft, Apple, or "Windows Defender" security alerts pushing a phone number. Real Microsoft and Apple never email a phone number to call. The number connects you to a scammer who asks for remote access to "fix" the imaginary problem and then demands payment.

Common subject lines

• "Microsoft Defender expired - renew now"
• "Apple ID security alert"
• "Critical: virus detected on your PC"
• "Windows license expired - call now"

Wire fraud Advance-fee scams

Inheritance, lottery wins, romance, or business deals that ask for a small fee to release a much larger sum. The classic "Nigerian prince" 419 family of frauds. Once you pay the first fee, more fees appear (taxes, lawyer, transfer charges) until you stop paying. The promised money never exists.

Common subject lines

• "Inheritance from a relative you didn't know about"
• "You won the international lottery"
• "URGENT - business proposal worth $XX million"
• "Compensation fund release for fraud victims"

Wire fraud Business email compromise (BEC)

CEO impersonation asking employees to wire money or buy gift cards, or fake supplier invoices with newly "updated" bank details for payment redirection. The email often spoofs a real internal executive's display name and uses an external lookalike domain.

Common subject lines

• "Quick task - need you to buy gift cards"
• "Updated banking details for invoice payment"
• "Wire transfer request - urgent"
• "Are you available?" (CEO impersonation opener)

How to spot a malicious email?

Phase 1~ 2 min

Spot - identify the red flags

---

1

Check the sender's actual address, not the display name

30 sec

The display name (the human-readable part) is trivial to fake. Always check the full address that comes after it. Common red flags:

• Domain mismatch - service@paypa1.com, support@micros0ft-help.com, look-alike domains using digits or extra hyphens
• Free-email impersonation - any "official" message from a bank, courier, or platform sent from a @gmail.com, @outlook.com, or @yahoo.com address
• Reply-To mismatch - the From address looks legitimate but Reply-To points somewhere completely different

Why this matters

Real companies own their domains and send mail from them. A "DHL" message from a Gmail address is never legitimate, regardless of how convincing the body looks.

2

Watch for urgency, threats, and generic greetings

30 sec

Scams almost always rush you. The point is to make you act before you think. Treat any of the following as a strong signal:

• "Your account will be deleted in 24 hours"
• "Final notice" / "Immediate action required"
• "Dear Customer" or "Dear User" instead of your real name
• Threats of fines, account closure, legal action, or arrest
• Promises of refunds, prizes, or money you didn't earn
• Spelling and grammar mistakes in messages claiming to come from a major brand

3

Hover over every link before clicking

30 sec

On a desktop, hover the mouse over the link without clicking. The real destination shows in the bottom-left status bar of your browser or email client. On a phone, long-press the link to preview the URL.

• Real Microsoft, PayPal, or bank links go to those exact domains, not redirects through unrelated sites
• Shortened URLs (bit.ly, tinyurl, t.co) hide the real destination - never click them in unsolicited mail
• The visible link text and the actual URL must match - mismatches are the single biggest phishing red flag

Pro tip

When in doubt, don't click the link. Open a new browser tab and type the company's address yourself, then log in normally. If there really is an issue with your account, you'll see it there.

4

Treat unexpected attachments as hostile

30 sec

If you didn't ask for the file, don't open it - even if it appears to come from someone you know. Categories that should never be opened from email without verification through another channel:

• .exe, .scr, .iso, .img, .vbs, .bat - executables, never legitimate attachments
• .docx, .xlsx, .pptx with "Enable macros" prompts - the macros run the malware
• .pdf with "Click here to view" buttons - usually a phishing redirect, not a real document
• .zip, .rar, .7z archives, especially password-protected ones - the password defeats the email scanner

Phase 2~ 2 min

Report and delete - if you haven't engaged

---

If you only received the email and didn't reply, click, or open anything, the steps below are all you need. Your computer is not infected.

5

Don't reply, don't click "unsubscribe"

30 sec

Replying confirms your address is real and monitored, which gets you added to higher-value scam lists. The "unsubscribe" link in a scam message is rarely a real opt-out - it usually leads to a phishing page or downloads a tracking pixel.

Instead, mark the message as junk or phishing inside your email client (this trains the spam filter), then block the sender.

6

Report the scam to your email provider and authorities

1 min

Inside your email client:

• Gmail: open the message → ⋮ menu → Report phishing
• Outlook / Outlook.com: ⋯ menu → Report → Report phishing
• Apple Mail / iCloud: Move to Junk, then forward to reportphishing@apple.com

Forward or report to authorities:

• International: forward to reportphishing@apwg.org
• United States: ic3.gov (FBI)
• United Kingdom: forward phishing emails to report@phishing.gov.uk (NCSC SERS); for financial loss report at reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
• Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
• Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
• EU: your national CERT - find yours via the ENISA CSIRT map

After reporting, delete the email and empty the Trash folder so you don't accidentally open it later.

Phase 3~ 10–60 min

Recover - if you already engaged with the scam

---

Pick the step below that matches what you did. If multiple apply, work through them in the order they appear - the steps are arranged from lowest to highest risk.

7

You only clicked a link (didn't enter anything or download anything)

Scenario: clicked link only10 min

Close the page right away. Don't enter any information, even if the page looks legitimate.

• Clear your browser cache and cookies for the last hour - Chrome/Edge: Ctrl+Shift+Del → Last hour → check Cookies and Cached files
• Run a quick scan with Combo Cleaner in case the page tried to drop a file silently (drive-by download)
• Update your browser to the latest version - most drive-by exploits target outdated browsers
• Watch for new browser pop-ups, redirects, or unfamiliar notifications over the next few days

Why this matters

Modern browsers block most drive-by attacks, but a single click on a phishing page can still be enough on an outdated browser or unpatched plugin. A quick scan catches anything that landed silently.

8

You opened an attachment or downloaded a file - run a full malware scan

Scenario: opened attachment⚠ Highest risk60–90 min

Opening an attachment is the most common path to actual infection. Treat the system as compromised until the scans below come back clean. Work through these sub-steps in order:

8.1Disconnect from the network

Unplug Ethernet and turn off Wi-Fi. If the attachment was an info-stealer or remote-access trojan, this stops it from sending data out or receiving commands. Keep the network off until you've booted into Safe Mode (next step) - you'll reconnect there briefly to download the scanners.

8.2Boot into Safe Mode with Networking, then download the scanners

Windows 11: Settings → System → Recovery → Advanced startup → Restart now → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press 5 or F5.

Windows 10: hold Shift, click Power → Restart → Troubleshoot → Advanced options → Startup Settings → Restart → press F5.

Once Safe Mode has loaded, turn Wi-Fi back on and download Combo Cleaner (used in 8.4) and Microsoft Safety Scanner (used in 8.5). Safe Mode loads only minimal drivers, so most malware can't auto-run while you're getting the tools. Save both installers to your Desktop.

8.3Run Microsoft Defender Offline

Reboot to normal Windows. Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Scan options. Select Microsoft Defender Antivirus (offline scan) and click Scan now. The PC restarts into a stripped-down environment and scans the disk before Windows fully loads - this is what catches rootkits and bootkits.

Recommended antivirus

Combo Cleaner

VB100 certified. Includes anti-trojan, registry/persistence scanning, and anti-spyware in one pass. The 7-day free trial is available.

Download Combo Cleaner

8.4Run a full Combo Cleaner scan

Install Combo Cleaner and run a full system scan (not the quick scan). Let it complete fully, review what it found, and apply the recommended actions. Combo Cleaner will quarantine known trojans and remove their persistence in the registry.

8.5Run Microsoft Safety Scanner as a second-opinion scan

Download Microsoft Safety Scanner (MSERT.exe). The binary expires every 10 days, which means every download has the latest signatures. Run a full scan after Combo Cleaner to catch anything one engine alone might miss.

8.6Reset browsers and clear notification permissions

Many email-borne trojans drop adware that hijacks browsers. Reset each browser you use:

Chrome: chrome://settings/reset → Restore settings to their original defaults. Then chrome://settings/content/notifications - remove unfamiliar sites.

Edge: edge://settings/reset. Then edge://settings/content/notifications.

Firefox: about:support → Refresh Firefox.

8.7Re-enable Defender, Tamper Protection, and update everything

Open Windows Security → Virus & threat protection → Manage settings and confirm Real-time protection, Cloud-delivered protection, and Tamper Protection are all on. Then run Settings → Windows Update → Check for updates and update browsers and applications.

Important

If the scans keep finding new threats on each run, or files reappear after deletion, you may have a deeper compromise that needs a clean Windows reinstall. See pcrisk's full manual malware removal guide for the extended procedure (Process Explorer, Autoruns, hosts file inspection).

9

You entered credentials on a fake login page

Scenario: shared password⚠ Act fast20 min

Assume the attacker has your password and is using it right now. Speed matters.

1. Change the password from a different, known-clean device (your phone is fine if it's not infected). Don't reuse the old password anywhere else.
2. Enable two-factor authentication if you haven't already. Prefer an authenticator app or hardware key over SMS.
3. Sign out of all sessions - most platforms have a "sign out everywhere" option in security settings, which kicks the attacker out.
4. Review recent activity - look for unfamiliar logins, new devices, forwarding rules, or app permissions. Remove anything you don't recognize.
5. Check your other accounts - if you reused that password anywhere else, change it there too. Check your exposure at haveibeenpwned.com.
6. Update security questions - the attacker may have seen the answers in your account profile.

Why email comes first

If you only have time to change one password, change your primary email password - it's the recovery hub for every other account. An attacker who controls your email can reset everything else.

10

You sent money or shared bank, card, or ID details

Scenario: financial loss⚠ Contact bank now30 min

Time is the single biggest factor in recovering money. Banks can sometimes recall a wire or reverse a card transaction within the first few hours.

1. Call your bank or card issuer immediately. Use the number on the back of the card, not any number from the scam email. Ask them to freeze the card, reverse the transaction if possible, and flag the account for fraud monitoring.
2. If you sent a wire transfer or used a money-transfer service (Western Union, MoneyGram, Zelle, Wise), call them directly and request a recall. Some can be reversed within minutes if reported fast.
3. If you sent cryptocurrency or gift cards, recovery is unlikely - but report it anyway, since law enforcement tracks these patterns.
4. File a police report. You'll need the report number for any insurance, bank, or credit-bureau claim. Save the report number.
5. File with the right authority for your country:
   • US: ic3.gov + reportfraud.ftc.gov
   • UK: reportfraud.police.uk (Report Fraud, the successor to Action Fraud; 0300 123 2040)
   • Canada: antifraudcentre.ca
   • Australia: scamwatch.gov.au
   • EU: your national CERT or police cybercrime unit
6. Set fraud alerts on all major credit bureaus if you shared any ID details. US: Equifax, Experian, TransUnion. UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion (Cifas Protective Registration is a stronger option).
7. Save all evidence - the original email (with full headers), screenshots of the fake site, transaction records, any phone numbers or chat logs.

Phase 4~ 15 min + 30 days

Verify & monitor

---

11

Final scan and startup-app check

15 min

Reconnect to the network and run one final full scan with Combo Cleaner, followed by a Windows Defender quick scan. Then open Task Manager (Ctrl + Shift + Esc) and switch to Startup apps - disable anything unfamiliar.

Make sure Windows, browsers, and any applications you use are fully up to date. The infection vector that worked on you once usually involves outdated software.

12

Monitor accounts and credit for 30 days

5 min/day · 30 days

Most fraud follow-ups land in the first month. Until that window closes, keep watching:

• Bank and card statements - daily for the first week, then weekly
• Email - watch for password-reset confirmations or login alerts you didn't trigger
• Credit report - US: free at annualcreditreport.com; UK: Experian, Equifax, TransUnion all have free tiers
• Breach alerts - sign up at haveibeenpwned.com to be notified when your email appears in new leaks

If anything new appears in any of those, treat it as a continuing compromise: change passwords again, contact the bank again, and update the police report.

Important: If you didn't click anything, didn't reply, and didn't open any attachment, your computer is not infected - just delete the email and move on. If you opened an attachment or downloaded a file, run an automated scan with Combo Cleaner and Windows Defender and stop there. That path catches the vast majority of email-borne malware without the risk of breaking Windows by deleting the wrong file.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why did I receive this email?

You have received this email because scammers have your email in their database (which probably was accumulated after a data breach). Either way, phishing emails, and similar email scams usually are not personal. Scammers send the same email to all addresses in their database.

I have provided my personal information when tricked by this email, what should I do?

If you have provided your password on the fake Webmail (or other) website, change your passwords immediately and try contacting your email service provider.

I have downloaded and opened a file attached to a malicious, is my computer infected?

Computers get infected after malicious files are executed. However, not all malicious files infect computers right after they are opened. For example, malicious MS Office documents cannot cause damage until macros commands are enabled. Although, this does not apply to documents opened with MS Office versions released before 2010.

I have read the email but didn't open the attachment, is my computer infected?

No, opening an email by itself is completely harmless (it cannot directly infect a computer).

Will Combo Cleaner remove malware infections that were present in email attachment?

Yes, Combo Cleaner can detect and remove almost all known malware. When operating systems are infected with high-end malware, they must be scanned using a full scan option. High-end malware can be hidden deep in the operating system, so running a quick scan will not detect it.