Bolesławiec police officers once again remind people about the methods used by scammers, who constantly modify their techniques to extort money. Despite numerous appeals and warnings, scams involving a grandchild, police officer or social worker, as well as online scams using BLIK, remote desktop access and links sent by criminals, continue to occur.

Officers:

Every year, we hear more and more about new methods of fraud aimed at extorting money. Scammers often make phone calls and pretend to be police officers, bank employees or relatives, while also using auction and classified-advertising websites and social media.

What do these scams look like, and how can you avoid being deceived?

The “grandchild” scam

Scammers usually make phone calls, impersonating a family member, such as a grandchild. Criminals often say that someone in our family has been involved in an accident and that urgent financial help is needed. Scammers may ask for money or personal information, using emotional blackmail and manipulation to gain the victim’s trust and extort money.

Don’t be deceived! Remember to follow the principle of limited trust at all times, especially in situations requiring our financial assistance.

Inform the Police about every attempted scam, and if someone contacts you asking for money, consult your relatives and, above all, do not provide any information by phone concerning personal details, bank account numbers or their passwords.

The “police officer” scam

It also happens that criminals introduce themselves as police officers and persuade their victims to take part in a police operation, or inform them that someone close to them has been detained or is suspected of a crime. They then offer to help resolve the matter.

Don’t be deceived! The Police never inform people about an operation in progress and will never ask them to give money to someone, transfer it to an account or leave it somewhere! Immediately inform the Police about any attempt to extort money.

The “investment” scam

Fake investments are another method used by scammers. The aim is to lure potential customers, among other ways through social media, with promises of high returns after investing minimal amounts—in a short time and without the risk of losing money.

Criminals create fictitious investment platforms, for example involving cryptocurrencies, precious metals, bonds, foreign land investments or alternative energy sources. After an account is created on such a platform, details are provided and an initial investment is paid, a “company representative” soon calls the phone number supplied by the victim. This person persuades the victim to install the AnyDesk application on their computer or phone, supposedly to facilitate the investment process.

In reality, the application allows control to be taken over the device on which it is installed. In this way, after gaining access to the device and then to the victim’s bank accounts, scammers carry out numerous financial transactions.

Don’t be deceived! Do not trust promises of easy and quick profits. Check the credibility of the entity offering assistance related to investing money and under no circumstances disclose anyone’s login details for electronic or mobile banking. Do not install applications or upload software from unknown sources. In this way, someone may try to take control of your computer or smartphone.

The “link” scam

The scheme is usually very similar. The perpetrator sends a message via SMS/WhatsApp/e-mail containing a link to a fake website. Under the pretext of completing the purchase transaction for an item listed by the victim on a sales service. If bank card details or online-banking login details are entered on the bank website prepared by the scammer, the perpetrator gains full access to the funds held there.

Don’t be deceived! Remember not to open payment links sent in messages. Links sent by scammers are deceptively similar to genuine websites. By logging in to these fake websites, we disclose our details and lose access to our account. We should verify the websites we use every time. We should also read authorization SMS messages carefully.

The “BLIK” scam

Cybercriminals using this method first breach the security of a person’s social-media account. Then, impersonating that person through a messenger, they send requests to the person’s friends for a loan by sharing a BLIK code. The criminals engage in casual conversation to avoid arousing suspicion. Friends who are misled about the identity of the profile user share BLIK codes and approve transactions in the mobile application. After receiving the code, scammers most often withdraw cash from an ATM in another region of the country or pay for purchases online.

Don’t be deceived! If you receive a message asking to borrow money, remain alert. Always verify the identity of “friends” who write through online messengers—preferably by calling that person directly. Check the transaction details before approving it in the mobile-banking application, because a scammer cannot withdraw money using the code until we confirm the transaction on our phone.

Immediately inform the Police about any attempts to extort money by calling the emergency number 112.