Police officers received a report from a resident of Lubin that an unknown perpetrator had bypassed security measures on a social networking site and then, using a messenger, impersonated her friend and asked her to provide a BLIK code. The result? The criminal paid for their purchases with money from the victim’s account.
How do BLIK fraudsters operate?
“They steal a person’s ‘identity’ online. They then impersonate that person and, taking advantage of the trust placed in them, ask their friends to provide a BLIK code,” explains asp. szt. Sylwia Serafin, press officer of the District Police Headquarters in Lubin. “Fraudsters most often add that they are standing at the checkout and want to pay for their shopping, but their payment card happened to expire that day. Or they ask for a quick loan to make an online purchase, promising to return the money the following day.”
The spokesperson warns:
Let us remember to use internet-connected devices carefully, as only vigilance and prudence can prevent fraud. We must remember to protect our passwords, log out of applications and avoid opening emails from unknown senders.
She adds:
We also remind you that fraudsters often impersonate bank websites or popular auction and social networking sites. Let us remember not to enter our login or password whenever there are any doubts.
Fraud can result in a sentence of between six months and as many as eight years in prison.