In both cases, the perpetrators posed as prospective buyers of the goods offered by the injured parties on the online classifieds portal. Without negotiating much about the price, the perpetrators quickly offered to transfer the purchase price using the new classifieds payment method “Secure Payment”. For this purpose, a link was sent to the injured parties (in one case by email, in the other case by SMS) under which they should register for the new payment method. Only the name and credit card details should be entered.
In the belief that the purchase price would be credited to the credit card account, the injured parties provided their first and last name, credit card number, card verification number and the validity period of the credit card. In one case, the supposed registration was even accompanied by a chat window.
Sneaky phishing site: Fraudsters steal thousands of euros through fake classified ads
After the supposedly interested buyers had once again made sure that the correct credit card details had actually been entered, contact regarding the purchase interest was abruptly broken off. There was no sale of the goods on offer. What happened, however, were several debits to the injured party's credit card account, which neither of them initiated. Overall, this caused financial damage amounting to several thousand euros, which will not be reimbursed by the credit card companies.
Using the link sent, the perpetrators managed to lure the victims to a so-called “phishing page” that looks confusingly similar to a classifieds website. With the data obtained there, the perpetrators were able to carry out the bookings relevant to the crime in their favor.
Police tips
In this context, the Northeim police strongly advise never to innocently or hastily reveal all of your credit card details on the Internet. Use payment methods you know. Do not follow links sent to you by third parties and always check the address details of the email senders. In both cases described here, the relevant link came from an iCloud email address and not from classified ads, as it seemed at first glance.
Source:
Press portal
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Digital Crooks: How Internet Fraudsters Steal Identities
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