Officers from the District Police Headquarters in Bolesławiec received further reports of fraud involving people offering goods for sale online:
The victims, instead of receiving money from a potential buyer, lost much more from their own bank accounts.
Online shopping is very popular during the pandemic. Police officers from Bolesławiec remind us:
Criminals also operate online, constantly devising new ways to obtain money or data that facilitates access to bank accounts. Despite information about exercising caution during online transactions, various scams continue to occur, causing victims to lose money.
In recent weeks, officers have received reports of money being lost from bank accounts after recipients clicked on a link and provided their details.
How do the criminals do it?
Police:
People offering clothing or a mobile phone for sale received messages through a sales platform or the WhatsApp application. They were contacted by people who allegedly had bought the listed items, informing them that the money would be sent through the service’s transaction platform.
The sellers received a link that redirected them to a website deceptively similar to the real website of the classified-ad service. To receive payment for the goods, they had to provide their card number and other important information, giving the criminals easy access to their bank account and the ability to make a transfer.
And adds:
Police officers warn against sharing personal data and information related to managing our funds online.
Let us recall that fraud is punishable by six months to as many as eight years in prison.