Attackers are sending fake ChatGPT billing emails that pressure people to “update payment” within 48 hours to avoid service interruption. The message links to a convincing look‑alike ChatGPT login page via a Google redirect, aiming to steal OpenAI credentials.
Key findings
- A fake ChatGPT subscription invoice email is being used to steal OpenAI account credentials.
- The lure uses urgency: victims are told to pay an outstanding balance of $23.80 within 48 hours to avoid service interruption.
- The sender address is not an OpenAI domain (support@9527db6e1a.nxcli.io).
- The “Update Payment Information” button uses a Google redirect that ultimately sends victims to a malicious page resembling the real ChatGPT sign-in portal.
- Indicators of compromise included the Google redirect and two nxcli[.]io paths: login.php and key.php.
- The article notes broader AI-brand impersonation campaigns affecting South Africa, Switzerland, and Austria, including large-scale email volumes.
Who’s being targeted
- Commonly targeted roles: All employees, Finance/Accounts Payable, Executives, IT/Helpdesk.
- Affected industries: Technology, Professional Services, Any business using AI SaaS tools, Consumers / personal email users.
- Attack channels: email, website.
- Impersonated: ChatGPT / OpenAI Billing Support.
Awareness takeaways
- Treat “urgent payment update” messages as high-risk and verify through the official site/app, not the email button.
- Check sender domains carefully, brand names and logos don’t prove legitimacy.
- Hover/check links and confirm you are on the real login domain before entering credentials (e.g., auth.openai.com).
- Assume attackers will imitate popular AI tools (and other big brands) and build training around these look-alike login pages.
Red flags to watch for
- Sender domain is not an official OpenAI domain (nxcli.io).
- Link uses a Google redirect/wrapper before landing on a login page.
- URL does not match the legitimate login host (users should see auth.openai.com).
Read the video transcript
You get an email: "Urgent: Update Your Payment Method to Avoid Service Interruption" for a $23.80 ChatGPT invoice. It looks legit, but the sender is support@9527db6e1a.nxcli.io, and the "Update Payment Information" button hides a Google redirect that lands on a fake ChatGPT login page. Here’s the trick: the page looks like ChatGPT, but the URL is nxcli.io with paths like login.php and key.php. If it’s real, you should see auth.openai.com in the address bar. If you get an urgent ChatGPT payment email, don’t click the button, open your browser, type auth.openai.com yourself, and sign in from there.