Cybercriminals Using Google Calendar Invites in latest Phishing Scam

Cybercriminals are exploiting a new tactic in their phishing campaigns by leveraging Google Calendar invites to deceive unsuspecting users. In this latest scam, attackers send fraudulent calendar events that appear to originate from legitimate sources, often mimicking Google Meet invitations or shared appointments. These invites typically contain malicious links disguised as meeting URLs or attachments, designed to steal personal information, login credentials, or distribute malware. Because Google Calendar automatically notifies recipients and adds events to their schedule by default, the invites can easily bypass traditional email filters and catch victims off guard.

Scammers are increasingly mimicking Google Calendar invites and other Google Workspace tools to deceive users and deliver phishing links that lead to fraud or malware. Here's how the scam typically works and what to watch out for:

How the Google Calendar Invite Scam works

1. Phishing Invite:Scammers send a fake Google Calendar or Google Meet invitation. These can appear legitimate, often using familiar names or subjects like "Job Interview," "Payment Confirmation," or "Shared Document."

2. Embedded Phishing Link:The event or invite includes a malicious link, disguised as a meeting URL or file attachment (like a Google Docs or Drive link).

3. Social Engineering:Victims are pressured to click quickly — often with language like “urgent,” “time-sensitive,” or “action required.”

4. Credential Theft or Malware:Clicking the link may:

   • Lead to a fake Google login page to steal your credentials.

   • Install malware on your device.

   • Redirect to payment scams or fake crypto investment platforms.

   
   

5. A spoofed Google Meet invite is a phishing tactic where scammers fake a legitimate-looking meeting request to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links or revealing sensitive information.

In Conclusion:

As cybercriminals continue to exploit trusted platforms like Google Calendar, it's essential for users to stay vigilant and recognize the signs of phishing disguised as legitimate invites. By adjusting calendar settings, verifying the authenticity of meeting links, and enabling multi-factor authentication, individuals and organizations can reduce their risk of falling victim to these deceptive attacks. Awareness and proactive security practices remain the best defense against this evolving threat.