An alleged IT expert and fraudster took advantage of the fear of data loss.

On Saturday the telephone rang in a household. The call came from Greece, with the country code 030. The unknown person pretended to be an IT expert from Microsoft and explained that the PC had been hacked.

According to the caller, the virus-infected computer now threatens to steal the most sensitive account data. The alleged computer specialist from “Microsoft” offered to solve the problem remotely and protect the computer against further cyber attacks. The person called agreed and gave the fraudster unrestricted access to her computer and thus to the data stored there, such as passwords for email accounts and access to online banking or online retailers, using remote maintenance software.

The fraudster persuaded the user to transfer almost 2,500 euros to an account via online banking

While he was presumably clearing the computer of viruses in the background, the alleged IT expert temporarily displayed various error messages and warnings on the screen, which were intended to make the extent of the cyber attack clear to the victim. The fraudster got the user to transfer almost 2,500 euros to an account via online banking, supposedly to lure the hackers into a trap. She also sent him her credit card details and other personal information. Thereafter, there were two debits to her credit card account totaling 1,000 euros.

The police recommend that you be suspicious if, without any apparent reason, a caller asks to allow access to your own computer or asks for login details for online accounts or online shops. It doesn't matter whether it is an alleged Microsoft employee or any other person.

Never give out sensitive data over the phone and do not visit dubious websites to install unknown programs. If you still receive a call in this context, simply hang up!

source

Central Hesse Police Headquarters
Also read: Fake shop alarm: Beware of fraudulent solar and photovoltaic shops


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