We all know just how crowded our inboxes get. Messages pile up, conversations overlap, and email quickly becomes the centre of how we communicate, make decisions, and keep business moving day to day. That central role is exactly why cybercriminals target it—especially through business email compromise.
When so much trust and activity sits in one place, email becomes one of the most effective ways to launch an attack, often relying on human behaviour rather than technical flaws.
In this blog, we break down the most common tactics we are seeing in 2026 and, more importantly, how we help businesses stop them. The aim is to give you practical steps and the confidence to use email safely without slowing your business down..
What is Business Email Compromise?
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is a cyberattack where criminals impersonate trusted people or organisations to trick staff into transferring money, revealing sensitive information, or approving fraudulent requests. These attacks rely on deception, timing, and trust rather than malware, making them one of the most financially damaging cyber threats facing businesses today.
Invoice Redirection Fraud Is Still One of the Biggest Threats
Imagine this.
Your accounts team receives an email from a long-time supplier. The branding looks right, the wording feels normal, and the request seems routine. “We’ve updated our bank details for future invoices.”
The payment gets processed. Days later, the real supplier follows up asking why the invoice is overdue.
This remains one of the most common forms of Business Email Compromise in Australia. Attackers either compromise a mailbox or spoof a trusted sender, then insert themselves into legitimate financial conversations at exactly the right moment.
Common signs of invoice redirection attacks include:
- Sudden requests to update bank details
- Slight spelling changes in email domains
- Urgent payment requests near deadlines
- Replies that continue existing email conversations
- Pressure to bypass standard approval processes
In 2024, the ACCC reported over $150 million in losses linked to payment redirection scams in Australia, highlighting just how financially damaging these attacks have become. These attacks are particularly common in construction, legal, and professional services industries where large payments happen regularly.
→ Insight: Construction in Australia is booming, becoming a major economic force, contributing between 7% and 11.7% of GDP (ABS). As such, they are increasingly becoming targets. For more insight on the evolving industry, read here: Construction Site Connectivity: How to Prevent Downtime and Keep Projects Moving
AI-Powered Impersonation Is Making Email Attacks More Convincing
Business Email Compromise (BEC) is one of the most financially damaging cybercrimes, with reported global losses reaching approximately $2.9 billion in 2023 (Hoxhunt). In Australia, BEC is frequently cited as one of the most costly forms of cybercrime for businesses
One of the biggest changes we are seeing in 2026 is the rise of AI-assisted Business Email Compromise attacks.
Cybercriminals are now using artificial intelligence tools to generate highly convincing emails that mimic writing styles, tone, grammar, and communication patterns. In some cases, attackers are even using AI-generated voice cloning to impersonate executives over phone calls or voicemail messages.
Unlike older phishing attempts filled with spelling mistakes and obvious red flags, these attacks feel polished and believable.
AI-driven BEC attacks often involve:
- Executive impersonation requests
- Fake urgent payment approvals
- AI-written supplier communications
- Voice-cloned requests for fund transfers
- Personalised messages built from LinkedIn or company data
The goal is simple. Remove suspicion and create urgency.
This is why traditional “spot the typo” security awareness is no longer enough. Businesses now need layered protection, verification processes, and advanced detection tools capable of identifying suspicious behaviours rather than just suspicious wording.
Curiously, the AI tools which are used in powerful cyber attacks, and also being used effectively for countering such attacks. To make sense of this double-edged sword, read our article here: AI in Cyber Security: How It’s Changing the Game—and What It Means for Your Business
→ Pro Tip: Security awareness training remains one of the most effective ways to reduce BEC risk. Staff who regularly experience simulated phishing scenarios are significantly more likely to recognise suspicious requests before damage occurs. Learn more here: Why Security Awareness Training Is Your First Line of Cyber Defence
Account Compromise Attacks Are Harder To Detect
Sometimes attackers do not impersonate an email account. They compromise the real one.
This type of Business Email Compromise is especially dangerous because the emails come from legitimate accounts with real conversation history, trusted signatures, and established relationships.
Once attackers gain access, they quietly monitor communications before acting.
Compromised account attacks commonly involve:
- Monitoring invoices and payment schedules
- Redirecting conversations at critical moments
- Harvesting sensitive company information
- Launching attacks against customers or suppliers
- Creating hidden mailbox forwarding rules
In many cases, businesses only discover the compromise after a client reports suspicious activity or payments go missing.
The most common causes of account compromise include weak passwords, reused credentials, phishing attacks, and missing multi-factor authentication.
→ Insight: Industry reports show credential theft and compromised Microsoft 365 accounts remain one of the leading entry points for Business Email Compromise globally.
Internal Executive Fraud Continues To Exploit Urgency And Trust
Another growing trend is executive impersonation inside organisations.
These attacks often target finance teams, payroll staff, or administrators using fake instructions that appear to come from directors, CEOs, or managers.
The message is usually urgent, confidential, and designed to pressure staff into acting quickly without following normal procedures.
Examples include:
- Urgent transfer requests from “management”
- Fake payroll change requests
- Requests to purchase gift cards
- Confidential acquisition or legal payments
- “I’m in a meeting, handle this now” style emails
These attacks succeed because they exploit workplace culture. Staff naturally want to be responsive and helpful, especially when requests appear to come from leadership.
The strongest defence is process discipline. Verification procedures should apply to everyone, regardless of seniority.
→ Pro Tip: A simple callback verification process for financial requests can stop the vast majority of executive impersonation scams before money leaves the business. To learn more, read here: Is That Really Your Boss? CEO Fraud Explained
Strengthening Your Defence Against Business Email Compromise
Business Email Compromise attacks are becoming more sophisticated, targeted, and financially damaging every year. Attackers are combining AI, compromised accounts, and social engineering techniques to create scams that look increasingly legitimate.
The good news is that these attacks are preventable with the right combination of awareness, verification processes, and layered security controls.
At OneCloud, we help businesses reduce their exposure through:
- Advanced email filtering and threat protection
- Multi-factor authentication and account security
- SPF, DKIM, and DMARC implementation
- Security awareness training for staff
- Monitoring and rapid threat response
- Practical payment verification processes
Business Email Compromise is ultimately a trust attack. The goal is not just blocking malicious emails, but creating systems and processes that make deception far harder to succeed.
If you would like to strengthen your email security strategy or reduce your exposure to Business Email Compromise, contact OneCloud IT Solutions for practical, business-focused advice.
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