First iPhone 5 Scams Emerge

A fraudulent email is doing the rounds purporting to show the next generation 'iPhone 5GS', while also containing a download link for a Windows executable file that is believed to contain malware.

Showcasing a surreal 'iPhone 5GS' with a translucent body and a large display, the phishing email features various concept-art iPhones, while posing as originating from Apple.com.

The reality is that said email does not come from Apple, even though the doctored imagery and accompanying text is quite convincing.

It features the same layout of an official email from the Mac maker, though avid fans will surely not mistake it for the real thing, knowing that Cupertino never announces new iterations of its flagship products via email.

Instead, Apple holds events to announce stuff like the next generation iPhone, iPad, or its desktop and laptop computers.

What’s more, a ‘check it out’ link provided with the nefarious email downloads an .exe file believed to contain malware (virus, trojan, keylogger etc.) MacRumors notes.

The message even purports to show a typical Apple marketing video. Undoubtedly, when clicked, the video will also download malware onto the unwary user’s hard drive, or will not work altogether.

As you may have already guessed, the people behind this scam are trying to capitalize on the hype of Apple’s iPhone 5.

Analysts believe the handset will see the light of day this Autumn, but a summer announcement is not out of the question either and should, in fact, keep the product’s historical annual refresh cycle alive.

But for those who don’t read Apple news that often, this phishing scam may well seem like a legitimate Apple announcement.

As such, it is those people who we are warning that such invitations to ‘check out’ Apple’s latest are to be avoided.

If you receive this email, our advice is to NOT click on any links inside, and delete it immediately.

Rest assured that when Apple’s iPhone 5 is close to release, you’ll learn about it either from Apple themselves, or from technology sites like our own.