A new social media scam has been reported in Vietnam where fraudsters create fake accounts impersonating relatives on Zalo. Rather than directly requesting money, they manipulate victims into calling family members on Facebook to ask for loans. After building trust, scammers send fake transaction screenshots and transfer notifications to steal money. Police advise direct verification and protecting personal information.
Egyptian Central Bank warns of surging fraud schemes exploiting the popular InstaPay payment app. Scammers are using AI technology to create fake websites and links that closely mimic official banking platforms, targeting sensitive user data and transfers.
Binance has issued a warning about increased phishing attacks targeting cryptocurrency users through fraudulent text messages claiming account security issues or suspicious login attempts. The scammers use shortened links to direct victims to fake login pages designed to steal credentials. Binance recommends users only verify their accounts through the official app and to use security features like address whitelisting and the Verify tool.
The Nghe An Provincial Police have warned of a new scam exploiting Vietnam's land registration digitalization initiative. Fraudsters impersonate government officials and land registration staff, pressuring victims to install malicious apps or scan QR codes to steal banking credentials and OTP codes.
Scammers are impersonating France's Caisse des dépôts (deposit management agency) by contacting people via phone and email, claiming to help them access dormant funds in exchange for processing fees. The legitimate institution warns it never contacts customers this way and has established a reporting platform called Thesee for victims.
A resident in Samsun, Turkey fell victim to fraudsters operating a fake MHRS (national health appointment system) website. The victim's credit card was charged 44,444 lira without authorization after entering personal information on the counterfeit site. Police have launched an investigation into the fraudulent transaction.
Spain's Navarra regional police warn of a surge in WhatsApp account hijacking scams. Cybercriminals exploit outdated security vulnerabilities to control victims' accounts and send fraudulent money requests to their contacts, often while victims remain unaware. The scam uses trust-based social engineering to target family and friends.
Italian police warn of a new fraud campaign exploiting mobile payment apps. Scammers send fake payment requests to numerous users, counting on some to approve them without proper verification. The scam relies on creating a false sense of urgency to bypass careful review.
As Russia prepares to launch its digital ruble, scammers are already exploiting the new currency to defraud citizens through investment schemes, phishing pages, and fake applications. Elderly citizens are particularly targeted with fear-based tactics claiming their savings will be forcibly converted at unfavorable rates.
A sophisticated phishing scam targeting Ledger cryptocurrency wallet users has emerged, using fake Ledger websites advertised through Google search results. Fraudsters create near-identical copies of the official Ledger site and attempt to trick users into revealing their 24-word recovery phrase, which grants complete access to their digital assets. The scam exploits Google Sites hosting and sponsored search advertising to appear legitimate.
Vietnam's major power company EVN has warned about fraudulent websites impersonating their brand and a malicious app called "CSKH EVNSPC." The fake app can steal OTP codes, intercept banking credentials, and enable remote control of devices for unauthorized financial transactions.
Thai authorities arrested a 41-year-old woman on August 30 for conducting secondary fraud targeting initial scam victims. The suspect contacted victims via LINE, claiming to help recover money lost in online shopping fraud, then led them through fake procedures while never returning the funds. She defrauded 64 victims totaling approximately 8.16 million baht using this elaborate scheme.
Russian law enforcement has issued a warning about 'dropper scams' in which fraudsters recruit children to help launder stolen money. Criminals contact young people through messaging apps and social media, offering 'easy money' in exchange for providing bank card details and login credentials. Authorities emphasize that parents must educate children about the serious legal risks of unknowingly becoming accessories to crime.
Thailand is experiencing a surge in online fraud, with over 21,000 cases reported monthly causing damages exceeding 828 million baht. Scammers increasingly use AI technology to create convincing fake messages, voice calls, and videos. Major credit card company KTC is implementing employee training and public awareness campaigns to prevent fraud, particularly targeting vulnerable elderly citizens.
Scammers are exploiting a banking feature called "Payment Request" to conduct deposit fraud, particularly in vehicle and real estate transactions. Fraudsters pose as trustworthy parties and send payment requests that victims mistakenly believe will result in receiving deposits, when in fact the transaction withdraws money directly from the victim's account.
SIM swapping is a fraud technique where scammers impersonate a victim to obtain a new SIM card from their mobile carrier, allowing them to intercept SMS authentication codes. A French cybersecurity firm found that two-thirds of French citizens have been targeted by this method, and the proliferation of digital eSIMs has made the attack faster and easier to execute.
A surge of WhatsApp account hijacking scams is targeting users in Italy, with hackers exploiting security vulnerabilities to steal accounts and impersonate friends and family members. Victims receive urgent money requests via compromised accounts and may be tricked into bank transfers or visiting fraudulent websites. Regular security updates and verification procedures are recommended to prevent falling victim.
WhatsApp is testing a new 'Scam Alert' feature that automatically detects suspicious messages from unknown contacts. The feature uses machine learning to analyze incoming messages against known fraud patterns and warns users locally without sending data to Meta servers. Users can choose to block the sender, report them, or mark the conversation as trustworthy.
Scammers are impersonating Swiss hardware retailer Hornbach, sending fake emails promising exclusive deals on "Breezi Pro" air conditioners. Recipients are directed through a fake survey to a fraudulent online shop where their personal data is stolen for unauthorized transactions.
A large-scale phishing scam targeting stolen iPhones has been discovered, using AI voice calls to trick victims into revealing passcodes and authentication credentials. The criminal operation employs over 500 fake domains impersonating Apple Support in multiple languages, with the goal of bypassing Activation Lock to resell stolen devices.
Phishing
