Scam
FTC warns of online task job scams hooking victims like gambling
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns about a significant rise in gambling-like online job scams, known as “task scams,” that draw people into earning cash through repetitive tasks, with the promises of earning more if they deposit their own money. Although this type of scam was nearly non-existent in 2020, with the FTC receiving zero […]
Spain busts voice phishing ring for defrauding 10,000 bank customers
The Spanish police, working with colleagues in Peru, conducted a simultaneous crackdown on a large-scale voice phishing (vishing) scam ring in the two countries, arresting 83 individuals. Thirty-five of the arrested people were located across Spain, including in Madrid, Barcelona, Mallorca, Salamanca, and Vigo, and another 48 were arrested in Peru. The leader of the […]
FBI shares tips on how to tackle AI-powered fraud schemes
The FBI warns that scammers are increasingly using artificial intelligence to improve the quality and effectiveness of their online fraud schemes, ranging from romance and investment scams to job hiring schemes. “The FBI is warning the public that criminals exploit generative artificial intelligence (AI) to commit fraud on a larger scale which increases the believability […]
Scammers target UK senior citizens with Winter Fuel Payment texts
As the winter season kicks in, scammers are not missing the chance to target senior British residents with bogus “winter heating allowance” and “cost of living support” scam texts. The scam campaign is opportunistic given the UK government’s recent controversial stance on cutting winter fuel payments from approximately 10 million pensioners across Britain. Lookalike GOV.UK pages Scammers […]
Over a thousand online shops hacked to show fake product listings
A phishing campaign dubbed ‘Phish n’ Ships’ has been underway since at least 2019, infecting over a thousand legitimate online stores to promote fake product listings for hard-to-find items. Unsuspecting users clicking on those products are redirected to a network of hundreds of fake web stores that steal their personal details and money without shipping […]
‘Pig butchering’ trading apps found on Google Play, App Store
Fake trading apps on Google Play and Apple’s App Store lure victims into “pig butchering” scams that have a global reach. The apps have been removed from the official Android and iOS stores after accumulating several thousand downloads, say researcher at cybersecurity company Group-IB, who discovered the fraud. Pig butchering is the name of a scam […]
Suspects behind $230 million cryptocurrency theft arrested in Miami
Two suspects were arrested in Miami this week and charged with conspiracy to steal and launder over $230 million in cryptocurrency using crypto exchanges and mixing services. The two defendants, 20-year-old Malone Lam (aka “Greavys,” “Anne Hathaway,” and “$$$”) and 21-year-old Jeandiel Serrano (aka “Box,” “VersaceGod,” and “@SkidStar”) were arrested Wednesday night by FBI agents and appeared […]
Fake X content warnings on Ukraine war, earthquakes used as clickbait
X has always had a bot problem, but now scammers are utilizing the Ukraine war and earthquake warnings in Japan to entice users into clicking on fake content warnings and videos that lead to scam adult sites, malicious browser extensions, and shady affiliate sites. For months, X has been flooded with posts that contain what […]
INTERPOL recovers over $40 million stolen in a BEC attack
A global stop-payment mechanism created by INTERPOL successfully recovered over $40 million stolen in a BEC attack on a company in Singapore. INTERPOL says this is the largest recovery of funds stolen through a business email compromise (BEC) scam. BEC scams are a type of cyberattack in which cybercriminals attempt to redirect legitimate corporate payments to an […]
Fraud ring pushes 600+ fake web shops via Facebook ads
A malicious fraud campaign dubbed “ERIAKOS” promotes more than 600 fake web shops through Facebook advertisements to steal visitors’ personal and financial information. The sites promote products from well-known brands and include significant discounts to draw in visitors but are only accessible via mobile devices to evade detection by security scanners. Recorded Future discovered the […]