The police virtual patrol is issuing a new warning about an increasingly active fraud scheme, where criminals take over people's Facebook accounts and, pretending to be your friends, try to trick you into giving them the most important thing - your personal data and bank logins.
"Hello! Can you send me your phone number?" - such an innocent-looking text message, according to officials, is increasingly becoming a trap for scammers. This is followed by a request to confirm an SMS code or click on a "competition link" with an alleged win - 1200 euros or another "prize". However, the reality is completely different: it is not a prize, but a trap for scammers.
How does the scheme work?
According to police, it all starts with a hacked account of an acquaintance. Once hacked, the scammers send a “friendly” message – asking for a phone number, a code or inviting you to a fictional game where you can win money. But in reality, clicking on the provided link and entering your bank login details can empty your account in just a few moments.
Officials urge residents not to trust messages sent even from friends or family members if they ask to share sensitive data - phone numbers, codes, logins.
Warn your loved ones
The Virtual Patrol asks residents to share this information with their loved ones, especially those who use the Internet less often - parents, grandparents or other elderly people. Fraudsters often target the least protected and most trusting Internet users.
"Share in the comments what suspicious messages you have received from acquaintances whose accounts, as it later turned out, were hacked," he urges. police on your Facebook account.
Residents are urged to remain vigilant and reminded: if there is even the slightest suspicion, it is better to call an acquaintance directly and check. This can protect your data and money.
