The police uncovered a network of fake sons in WhatsApp.
Spanish police have arrested more than 100 people accused of stealing more than €850,000 via WhatsApp. Fraudsters posed as family members of their victims and convinced them to send money, ostensibly for urgent help.
The detainees — men and women between the ages of 20 and 60 — were arrested between February and April in 7 provinces of Spain. All are charged with fraud, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.
The fraud scheme consisted in the fact that the attackers contacted the victims via WhatsApp, posing as their relatives, for example, for a son who was in a critical situation and needed urgent financial assistance. Money transfers from 238 victims ranged from €800 to €55,000. In most cases, the scammers managed to get several payments from the victim.
Police also identified more than 500 bank accounts used to transfer funds, as well as nearly 100 phone numbers registered with fake identities.
Note that the Japanese police have introduced an unusual method of combating fraud aimed at the elderly. Fake payment cards designed to warn victims of online fraud can now be found in stores in Fukui Prefecture.
Spanish police have arrested more than 100 people accused of stealing more than €850,000 via WhatsApp. Fraudsters posed as family members of their victims and convinced them to send money, ostensibly for urgent help.
The detainees — men and women between the ages of 20 and 60 — were arrested between February and April in 7 provinces of Spain. All are charged with fraud, money laundering and participation in a criminal organization.
The fraud scheme consisted in the fact that the attackers contacted the victims via WhatsApp, posing as their relatives, for example, for a son who was in a critical situation and needed urgent financial assistance. Money transfers from 238 victims ranged from €800 to €55,000. In most cases, the scammers managed to get several payments from the victim.
Police also identified more than 500 bank accounts used to transfer funds, as well as nearly 100 phone numbers registered with fake identities.
Note that the Japanese police have introduced an unusual method of combating fraud aimed at the elderly. Fake payment cards designed to warn victims of online fraud can now be found in stores in Fukui Prefecture.
