Almost every day, we receive an email in our inbox that makes us doubt: Is this a real email? Scammers are getting smarter, and they’re using AI to infiltrate your systems, steal your data, and turn that into revenue for themselves. It’s quick, cheap, and shockingly effective.
As a result, we’re becoming more cautious. And if we’re not, we should be, because
the consequences of a single click can be devastating for businesses of all sizes.
Anyone can be a target
You might think cybersecurity awareness is mainly for junior staff, but research shows otherwise. CEOs and top executives are prime targets, and surprisingly easy ones. According to a study conducted by DOJO tech, just 5% of C-suite executives detected all five phishing emails in a simulated test, with CEOs being the worst at 3%. Another report by Medium found that 9 out of 10 CEOs fail a basic cybersecurity test.
That’s right, even the people at the top, with the most to lose, are falling for scams. The reason? A high volume of emails, time pressure, and a general assumption that their inbox is secure.
Even outside the C-suite, the numbers aren’t reassuring. 34.3% of untrained employees fail phishing simulations, according to Keepnet Labs. In high-stress environments like the print, packaging and manufacturing industries, flooded with emails, the risk is multiplied.
A real-world B2B example: How the scam unfolds
Here’s how a typical business email compromise might look when targeting a CEO or CFO in a B2B company:
- Identification using LinkedIn and company website
The scammers identify your CEO on LinkedIn and notice a recent post about a trade fair. They also find your finance director’s email on the “Meet the Team” page of your website. - Email spoofing or domain impersonation
The scammers create a fake domain like using a zero instead of an “o” and send an email that looks like it’s written by the CEO for the finance director. The message is urgent and short:
- Deepfakes and voice cloning (optional but real)
If the scammers want to go the extra mile, they might include a link to a “voice note” or a short video message using AI-generated voice or deepfake software. It sounds and looks like your CEO and adds just enough realism to remove any doubt. - Bank account details lead to a money mule
The bank account provided belongs to a shell company or an intermediary (a “money mule”) and is emptied within minutes after the funds arrive. - By the time you double check, it’s too late
The real CEO had no idea. The money is gone. The invoice it was meant to pay remains unpaid. And now, your company is not only dealing with a financial hit but also the reputational fallout.
This scam isn’t hypothetical, it happens every day, across industries.
AI is changing the game
Phishing isn’t what it used to be. Forget poorly written emails from foreign princes. Today’s scams are polished, persuasive, and hyper-personalized using artificial intelligence. AI allows cybercriminals to:
- Impersonate colleagues, vendors, or even your own writing style
- Harvest public data from LinkedIn or company websites to craft credible stories
- Bypass standard spam filters using subtle language and structure
In other words, traditional red flags may no longer apply.
What you can do to stay safe
Now, before you decide to switch back to using carrier pigeons, here’s what you can do to stay one step ahead:
1. Train Everyone… Yes, everyone
Cybersecurity is not just IT’s job. Regular phishing simulations and awareness training can considerably lower your risk. And tailored programs are a must for top executives who have more access to sensitive information.
2. Encourage a “Pause and Verify” culture
Make it okay to double check. If someone receives a payment request or a strange file from a familiar name, encourage a follow-up call or Teams message to verify its authenticity.
3. Use email authentication tools
Technologies like DMARC, SPF, and DKIM can help prevent spoofing. Make sure your IT team has these tools in place and check that your suppliers do too.
4. Limit what you share online
Train your team to be cautious about what they post publicly. Oversharing on LinkedIn or your website gives hackers ammo to make phishing emails look convincing.
5. Leverage AI, for good
Just as AI is used to attack, it can also be used to defend. Advanced email filters, behavior detection systems, and anomaly trackers powered by machine learning can identify threats in real-time.
Final Thought
In an age where one bad email can disrupt your business, authentic communication is more critical than ever, not just internally, but with your customers, partners, and stakeholders.
At duomedia, we don’t just help you spread the message, we make sure it’s clear, credible, and protected from every angle. From digital communication to branding, from executive messaging to trade press PR, we think like your audience and act like your partner.
✅ Smart B2B marketing
✅ Strategic PR & communication
✅ A team that sees what others miss
Let’s work together to protect your reputation and grow it.
Reach out to duomedia today.
Louis De Nolf
Louis worked in hospitality, sales, marketing, and media before joining duomedia. A diversity of skills he uses to come up with strong communication and branding campaigns. He enjoys sharing his passion for communication, which makes him an excellent public speaker and moderator.