Phishing email: "Approved Newcastle University Sharing Generosity with Students and Staff"
We previously reported on a phishing email from Academic Affairs offering a number of luxury items in exchange for a shipping fee after arranging delivery via WhatsApp.
Now, an updated version of this email has been reported. In the email, recipients are told "Mrs. Wendy Larson" is selling a list of in-demand items such as:
Cameras & Technology
- Leica Q2 47.3 MP Digital Camera — Black
- Samsung 65-inch QLED 8K Smart TV
- DJI Mini 4 Pro Drone
- Apple Vision Pro (2023)
- iPad Air (5th Generation, 256GB)
- HP EliteBook x360 1040 G6
- Apple MacBook Pro (2023)
- iPhone SE 64GB — Like New
Gaming & Entertainment
- PlayStation 5 — Used, Like New
- Nintendo Switch
- Xbox Series S — 512GB SSD
- Skytech Gaming Desktop PC
Music & Instruments
- Martin 000-42 Guitar — 1939
- Steinway Piano
Personal Transportation
- Ninebot Segway G1 Scooter
- 2001 Dodge Ram Pickup
As with the previous emails, a recipient is then asked to contact "Mrs. Wendy Larson" via WhatsApp and pay a shipping fee for their chosen item.
If you receive an email like this, we ask that you do not delete or ignore the email. Please report any suspicious emails using the Report function in Microsoft Outlook. Please see the below screenshots for where to find the Report button:
Classic Outlook – select email in list - Report Message is in the top right corner.
New Outlook
Once you have reported the email, you do not need to take any further action, unless you have responded to the email, in which case please contact the IT Service Desk on 0191 208 5999 immediately.
We have taken action to block the email but a small number may still get through.
Please check the advice we provide at https://services.ncl.ac.uk/itservice/core-services/email/guides/spamandphishing/ on identifying and reporting spam/phishing emails.
published on: 15 September 2026