A large number of so-called police fake emails are still circulating on social media and via email traffic. Even if the specific choice of words differs, the point is always that the recipient has committed a crime - namely in the area of ​​child pornography.

Example of such a fake email

Emails are currently circulating with the Vienna State Police Directorate (LPD Vienna) and Interpol as the supposed sender.
The accusation: cyberpedo pornography, cyber pornography, cyber masturbation, which carries a fine of 2,945 euros, as stated in the email.

Screenshot of fake email
Screenshot of fake email

Fake emails

The authors claim that the emails come from investigative authorities and often feature well-known police logos. The emails do not come from investigative authorities, they are fakes. The investigators at the Federal Criminal Police Office are currently assuming that these are phishing emails. This mass phenomenon is based on a purely fraudulent approach, the manner in which has already been reported to the Federal Criminal Police Office many times.

In general, the perpetrator tries to get the other person to disclose personal (financial) data or to cause financial damage. Under no circumstances should you respond to any demands made by the perpetrator, even if you are threatened with (false) police action.

If you have already become a victim, report it to the nearest police station.
Sometimes every link or attachment in such an email can itself contain malware and should not be followed or opened.

In principle, it is recommended to permanently (finally) delete such emails from the user's client using the key combination “Shift+Del”.

The sender addresses are “spoofed” email addresses that change regularly.

The police’s “real” crime prevention therefore advises:

  • Under no circumstances should you respond to such emails. Neither the police nor other reputable companies and institutions request sensitive information via email.
  • Be very careful with email attachments. Under no circumstances should you open it, as malware is often hidden there!
  • Check all letters you receive carefully and do not provide any personal information, do not respond or respond to any requests.
  • To use email accounts securely, it is fundamentally important to use complex passwords (password length 9 characters, upper and lower case letters, numbers and special characters) and to change them regularly.
  • The best way to protect yourself is to run regular virus scans and change your passwords.
  • If you want to report the incident to the police, you can go to a police station to establish the facts and, if necessary, file a report. There is no obligation to file a report.

Source:

Federal Criminal Police Office

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Notes:
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