Direct payments to scammer's accounts

How the scam works

A person is calling you from an unknown number, claiming to be someone close to you who is in trouble and asks you to make an urgent payment to a “friend’s” account abroad: “Mom, I’ve changed my number… you need to pay urgently.” After the first payment is made, they will ask for new ones.

How to identify and prevent

Call the original number of the person in question and verify the information. Whenever you have a concern, avoid any correspondence via text messages.

How the scam works

The scammer uses a social network or a dating site to build their “relationship” with the victim, soon expressing strong emotions and asking for money to deal with an “emergency”. Your first payment will normally be followed by new requests, after which the scammer will disappear.

How to identify and prevent

Be careful about strangers approaching you in an online setting and terminate your communication with them as soon as they ask for money or banking details.

How the scam works

Scammers claim to be police officers or refund agencies in a message such as: “We will return your lost money.” They ask for personal and banking details, prompt the victim to install an app to assume control, and induce the victim to create and confirm outgoing payment orders.

How to identify and prevent

Think critically, never share your information, never install an app if they ask you to do it, and carefully read each payment order before confirming it. Neither the police nor the Interpol offer refunds via ads or calls.