If the phone rings and an unknown number appears on the display, consumers should be particularly careful at the moment. Professional fraud gangs could be behind the call, posing as supposed employees of Europol, the Federal Police, Interpol or other police departments.
Your scam is booming and successful
The criminals have already been able to trick numerous victims and rob them of hundreds of thousands of euros. The scam starts with fake phone numbers that appear inconspicuous at first glance. These can be faked with little technical know-how. So-called “telephone spoofing” has long been used for fraud. But the scam of impersonating the police has a new quality. On the one hand, these calls take place in large numbers, and on the other hand, psychological pressure is built up on the victims so that they reveal their personal data and transfer money.
ESET security expert Thomas Uhlemann explains what exactly is behind the so-called “Europol scam” in his current blog article on WeliveSecurity.
“Fake calls from supposed police officers increased massively in the first six months of the year.
Thomas Uhlemann, ESET Security Specialist
The German phone numbers look real and seem to be changed regularly. The calls often start with an automatic announcement in English that something is wrong with the called party's ID card or social security number. If they accept this, they will be connected to a real person who is supposed to relieve the victims of personal data and money. Be suspicious, do not allow yourself to be put under pressure and under no circumstances give the callers personal information or money. If in doubt, it is better to hang up and call the nearest police station directly to clarify the matter.”
Features of fake calls
- When the call is answered, a recorded announcement is usually heard.
- The called party should press the “One” key.
- After pressing the button, the caller is forwarded to a person who asks them to provide personal information and transfer money.
Why is the scam so successful?
The “Europol scam” has been tyrannizing many people for several weeks, especially in Germany. The Federal Network Agency received 12,470 complaints . over 3,500 advertisements in Berlin alone because of these fake calls. These falls are just the infamous tip of the iceberg. If only a fraction of the current wave of spam is successful, it has already been worth it for the criminals.
In many cases, the phone numbers look real and can even be assigned to authorities such as Europol. In modern telephone systems, anyone can easily set a fictitious outgoing phone number. Cybercriminals also rent entire blocks of numbers on the Internet. In addition, a supposed police officer on the other end of the line causes fear because people fear the worst. These aspects are one reason why this mesh is currently so successful.
Four security tips for fake calls
- Do not give out any details about yourself or your financial situation over the phone.
- Don't let yourself be drawn into a conversation or put under pressure, just hang up.
- Never give money to unknown people.
- If you receive such a call, file a criminal report with your local police station.
Source: WeLiveSecurity
Related: Another wave of fraudulent calls from alleged Europol and Interpol police officers
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