Identity theft when selling tickets!

Be careful: Fraudsters try to sell concert tickets via Facebook using stolen identities. The rip-off ends in further identity theft.

Scammers steal Facebook users' identities

The cyber criminals lure people with fake profiles and concert tickets.
The sale ends in rip-offs and identity theft.

We keep reporting on the nasty scam of identity theft . Fraudsters are extremely creative when it comes to obtaining their victims' personal data. The trick with the concert tickets, for example, is particularly current. Interested buyers actually only want to buy tickets via Facebook. A short time later they realize that they have fallen into the trap of online fraudsters. They not only lose their money, but also their identity, because the criminals demand a photo of the person including their ID card - supposedly as proof of identity so that the money arrives safely.

[mk_ad]

A short time later, several fake profiles with the victim's name appeared on Facebook, allegedly selling concert tickets. The social media platform apparently offers one of the best conditions for the scam, because here the criminals can quickly reach potential additional victims. But that's not all: the fraudsters even create an account at an online bank in the name of the victims and the real people responsible remain anonymous.

Y-Kollektiv journalist Tim Schrankel turned the tables and during his research contacted a number of fake profiles that were also created on Facebook with stolen identities and are supposedly selling concert tickets:

And now?

In the case of fraud that leads abroad, the police's hands are often tied, but it is still important that you file a report. Many departments already have their own departments that specialize in cyber crime.

[mk_ad]

Also inform your friends, acquaintances, colleagues and business partners about identity theft. New friend requests on your behalf should be ignored.

Prevent identity theft:

• Don't make everything public on social networks and be careful with personal information! If possible, use a pseudonym. If you use your real name, do not publish your address or telephone number! For example, change the visibility of your friends' list on Facebook to private - a video guide from the North Rhine-Westphalia Consumer Center shows you how to do this.
• If possible, use a separate email address for social media. also offers tips free email addresses
• If offered, use “two-factor authentication.”
• Don't fall for fraudulent emails (phishing)! You can find out how to recognize them in the phishing radar from the NRW consumer advice center .
• Do not allow yourself to be entered in telephone books and public telephone directories with your full name and address!
• Object to the registration authorities sharing your data.

Article image: Shutterstock / By Antonio Guillem