Warning about new forms of online scams

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Recently, Sam Mitrovic, a solutions consultant at Microsoft, has raised an alert for Gmail users about a scam in which fraudsters impersonate Google employees. They send messages and make phone calls informing victims that their accounts show signs of being compromised, urging them to take steps to recover their accounts.

At first, the scammers send an email to the victim, asking them to approve an attempt to recover their account from a different region or country. Just a few minutes later, the victim receives a phone call from someone impersonating a Google employee. The scammer will ask if the victim is currently on a business trip or traveling abroad and then inform them that their Gmail account shows signs of being compromised. They warn that if immediate security measures are not taken, the victim's data could be at risk of being stolen.

After persuading the victim, the scammers send another email, informing the victim that their case is being handled by a team and asking them to click on an attached link to provide personal information to verify account ownership. Once the information is provided, another email appears, requesting approval for an account recovery attempt. This time, the message claims that the recovery attempt is being made from the same location where the victim is currently residing. Once the victim approves, their account is completely taken over by the scammers.

In response to the above scam tactics, the Department of Information Security advises the public to remain highly vigilant when receiving messages with such content. It is important to carefully check URLs and email addresses through official information portals, limit the sharing of sensitive information and personal data on social media platforms. Never click on unfamiliar links, provide personal information, or follow instructions from individuals without verifying their identity. If you receive suspicious messages or calls, immediately block and report them, and notify the authorities with the unknown email addresses or phone numbers to promptly prevent further fraudulent activities.

The Dallas Animal Rescue Center (Texas, USA) has recently issued a warning about a group of scammers impersonating the center's media channels on social media platforms. These individuals target victims who have lost their pets in order to defraud them of their money or belongings.

Initially, the scammers create accounts using the rescue center’s logo as their profile picture, joining groups and fan pages related to lost pets. They then actively comment on posts made by pet owners. After approaching the victim, the scammers claim to be part of an "emergency rescue team," informing the victim that their pet has been in an accident and is in critical condition, requiring immediate surgery. To gain the victim's trust, they use artificial intelligence to generate images of the pet in a hospital setting, such as on a hospital bed or an operating table. They then present medical bills and ask the victim to transfer money. Once the victim successfully transfers the funds, the scammers immediately cut off all communication, disappearing from all platforms.

In response to the ongoing scam situation, the Department of Information Security advises the public to remain highly vigilant when encountering such tactics. People are urged to stay calm and carefully verify information through official phone numbers or communication channels. Never provide sensitive information, personal data, or make money transfers without verifying the identity and workplace of the person involved. If suspicious signs are detected, the public should promptly report the incident to the police or relevant authorities to facilitate investigation, trace the perpetrators, and prevent fraudulent activities.

The method of scamming through text messages is also becoming increasingly widespread. According to a report by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (Gasa), the Philippines lost approximately US$8.1 billion (equivalent to VND204 trillion) in the past 12 months, primarily due to scams involving text messages that feature enticing offers, job solicitations, notifications of winning prizes, or invitations to purchase products at incredibly good prices.

The estimated damage is equivalent to 1.9 percent of the country's gross domestic product. According to a study titled "Scamming situation in the Philippines 2024," the average Filipino victim loses US$275 (approximately VND7 million) due to scams. About 39 percent of surveyed Filipinos reported losing money to scammers. Only three percent of victims were able to recover their lost funds, while 78 percent were unsuccessful. The study surveyed over 1,000 Filipinos, mostly aged 18 to 24.

Text message scams often trick unsuspecting victims into clicking on website links that promise fake job opportunities, lottery prizes, and various other schemes. These links lead to fraudulent portals where users are asked to provide personal information, such as bank account details, home addresses, and phone numbers. Consequently, scammers can gain access to bank accounts and e-wallets to withdraw money. The messaging platforms most commonly used by scammers are primarily WhatsApp and Messenger. Additionally, there are many emerging threats due to the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to facilitate cybercrime through text messages, images, videos, and voice recordings.

In light of the ongoing scam situation, the Department of Information Security advises the public to remain vigilant when receiving unfamiliar messages. Be cautious of messages inviting you to participate in investment opportunities, making money, notifying you of prizes, or advertising products at unbelievable low prices. Never provide personal information or transfer money without verifying the identity and workplace of the individual involved. Limit the sharing of personal information and sensitive data on social media platforms. If you detect any signs of fraud, report it immediately to the police to promptly prevent further fraudulent activities.