Network of global computers - Criminal Investigation body in Lower Saxony issues alert on cybercrime risks.
Cybercriminals target both large corporations and individuals, devising innovative methods to steal money and personal data. The Lower Saxony Criminal Police Office (LKA) has identified current scams involving messenger fraud, fake text messages from bogus parcel services, and phishing in classified ads sales. Although some scams are repeated frequently, criminals frequently succeed. The LKA prioritizes the investigation of these incidents.
Messenger fraud is a widespread deception method. Perpetrators contact potential targets via text message and frequently target parents with messages like "Hello, mom or dad. My SIM card isn't functioning - or my phone is damaged." A foreign mobile number is frequently accompanied by this WhatsApp communication. Hans-Joachim Henschel, Chief Inspector in charge of cybercrime and fraud prevention at the Lower Saxony Criminal Police Office, reveals that the perpetrators usually follow up with a money transfer request as the online banking is unavailable, asserting that an urgent transfer is necessary. The supposed children claim to return the money the following week.
Victims have little hope of recovering their funds. Shortly after transfers are made, they are unable to be stopped. Furthermore, the recipient accounts are not confined to Germany; foreign accounts are also common.
An other popular scam involves fake text messages from alleged parcel services. "The parcel cannot be delivered because customs charges apply, for example," informs Chief Inspector Henschel. The victims are sent a link that leads them to a bogus website replicating the DHL or Hermes website. This instance of phishing results in the collection of access information. "Victims are then asked to provide their credit card number and are often requested to share a significant amount of personal information," Henschel continues. Money is debited immediately, or identities are stolen to be exploited in future fraud endeavors. The websites are swiftly taken down shortly thereafter.
"Sellers frequently become victims of criminals when posting classified ads," adds Henschel. A prospective buyer replies to an ad and claims to have already paid the sum, with support contacting the seller. "The seller is then directed to a fake site, which is not an official chat page of the classifieds portal," explains Henschel. A fraudulent employee of the sales portal convinces the seller to share their bank details on a phoney website. The seller receives a TAN for confirmation. However, this is a ruse as money is actually extracted from the account. The scam is occasionally repeated, with the seller continuing to enter their bank details and corresponding TANs for each transfer. Money is channeled into a bank account specifically established for money laundering.
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Source: www.stern.de
