Detection rules › Sublime MQL

Fraudulent e-commerce operators

Severity
high
Type
rule
Source
github.com/sublime-security/sublime-rules

This attacker group engages in fraudulent activity by registering lookalike domains through Namecheap, often mimicking well-known brands by appending terms like LLC, LTD, Inc, or Corp. Their tactics involve sending fraudulent quote requests via Namecheap's private email service, followed by attempts to purchase goods on credit. These goods are routed through freight forwarders, typically bound for Western Africa. With increasing scrutiny on cash transactions to high-risk regions, they have shifted focus to acquiring goods. It is crucial to thoroughly validate any flagged messages and verify credit information before releasing products to these entities.

Threat classification

Sublime's own taxonomy (not MITRE ATT&CK).

CategoryValues
Attack typesBEC/Fraud
Tactics and techniquesImpersonation: Brand, Lookalike domain, Social engineering

Event coverage

Rule body MQL

type.inbound
and strings.starts_with(headers.mailer, 'Open-Xchange Mailer')
and strings.ends_with(headers.message_id, '@privateemail.com>')
and regex.imatch(sender.email.domain.sld, '.*(?:llc|ltd|inc|corp|llp|co)')
and not sender.email.domain.root_domain == "simpelllc.com"

Detection logic

Scope: inbound message.

This attacker group engages in fraudulent activity by registering lookalike domains through Namecheap, often mimicking well-known brands by appending terms like LLC, LTD, Inc, or Corp. Their tactics involve sending fraudulent quote requests via Namecheap's private email service, followed by attempts to purchase goods on credit. These goods are routed through freight forwarders, typically bound for Western Africa. With increasing scrutiny on cash transactions to high-risk regions, they have shifted focus to acquiring goods. It is crucial to thoroughly validate any flagged messages and verify credit information before releasing products to these entities.

  1. inbound message
  2. headers.mailer starts with 'Open-Xchange Mailer'
  3. headers.message_id ends with '@privateemail.com>'
  4. sender.email.domain.sld matches '.*(?:llc|ltd|inc|corp|llp|co)'
  5. not:
    • sender.email.domain.root_domain is 'simpelllc.com'

Inspects: headers.mailer, headers.message_id, sender.email.domain.root_domain, sender.email.domain.sld, type.inbound. Sensors: regex.imatch, strings.ends_with, strings.starts_with.

Indicators matched (4)

FieldMatchValue
strings.starts_withprefixOpen-Xchange Mailer
strings.ends_withsuffix@privateemail.com>
regex.imatchregex.*(?:llc|ltd|inc|corp|llp|co)
sender.email.domain.root_domainequalssimpelllc.com