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Decoy cells are virally infected epithelial cells that can be found in the urine. Decoy cells owe their name to their strong resemblance to cancer cells, and may as such confuse the diagnosis of either viral infection or urothelial malignancy. During 1950s, cytotechnologist Andrew Ricci observed cells mimicking cancer cells by they were not, in a group of persons working in some kinds of industries - they were referred to as “decoy cells”, analogous to “decoy ducks” used in hunting wild ducks, by Andrew Ricci, a cytotechnologist working renown cytopathologist Dr. Leopold G. Koss.