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May 06, 2015

With one grammatical exception, the example below is a fairly convincing phony email message claiming to be from the Internal Revenue Service. The goal, of course, is to trick unsuspecting recipients into opening the deadly attachment.

From: irs.e-helpmail@irs.gov
Subject: E-mail Receipt Confirmation - Ticket#SD9864782

The IRS e-help Desk has received your email on 05/06/15. A case has been opened in response to your question or issue.

Your case ID is : SD9864782

Details about this case has been attached.

If additional contact is necessary, please reference this case ID.
You will receive a reply within two business days.

Thank you for contacting the IRS e-help Desk.

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Do not submit confidential information, such as Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN), EFIN, or ETIN in your e-mail correspondence.

NOTE: We are providing a written response to your question using the information you have provided us in your original message. Our written response is NOT to be considered either a revenue ruling or determination letter, which are prepared by the Department of Treasury Chief Counsel.

[SD9864782.zip]

Of course, a quick peek at the email header would reveal the message originated from Spain—not exactly whence IRS emails would come.