Clicking on links and losing 23,850 euros: One account lost as much as 17,000

Four individuals fell victim to cyber fraud, losing a total of €23,850 after clicking on suspicious links sent via SMS messages. Police have received four reports involving three women and one man who were deceived through fake messages related to mobile banking, online sales links, and warnings about allegedly compromised bank accounts. In two cases, women received SMS alerts stating their access to the OTPgo app was about to expire and were instructed to update their information via a provided link. After opening the links and entering their details, one woman lost €600, while another lost €2,550 from her account. Another woman became a victim after advertising a washing machine for sale online. She was contacted by someone claiming to be an interested buyer, who sent a link supposedly belonging to the delivery service DPD. Following the instructions given, she entered her banking details via mobile banking and later discovered a €3,700 shortfall in her account. The largest loss occurred when a man was contacted by an unknown person claiming his bank account was under threat. After opening the provided link and entering his details, €17,000 was withdrawn from his account. Authorities warn citizens against opening suspicious links in messages requesting updates to mobile banking, data verification, or supposed account protection. On such sites, users should avoid entering PINs, card details, login credentials, or one-time security codes. Residents are advised to verify the authenticity of messages or calls directly with their bank using official communication channels. When making online purchases, customers should not provide security details for accessing banking services, PINs or authorization codes are unnecessary for payments. If individuals suspect fraud, they should immediately stop all communication, contact their bank, and report the incident to the police. Cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence to make their scams more convincing, according to experts. One common method involves creating fake online stores presented as family-run businesses offering quality products. These websites often feature recognizable local landmarks in photos to appear authentic. Experts warn that buyers purchasing from such sites frequently receive no product or only cheap mass-produced goods, often from China. AI is also used to create deepfake videos and cloned voices to mimic family members or friends, typically to create urgency and request money. Additionally, AI enables the mass sending of grammatically correct and personalized deceptive messages via email, SMS, and social media, aiming to trick recipients into revealing personal information or making payments. Experts advise against sending money, gift cards, or personal and financial details to people not known in person. It is crucial to verify the credibility of sellers before making purchases, checking company details in official registers or databases. If encountering a job offer, confirm it directly with the employer using official contact information. Do not assume someone is who they claim to be simply because you heard or saw them during a video call. The basic rule is to pause and think carefully before making any payment, sharing data, or taking other actions. Extra caution is needed if someone pressures or creates a sense of urgency, as criminals aim to provoke quick responses without reflection.