Litigation at the expense of a total of ten people, for six cases of computer fraud through the interception of bank details police officers of the Delta Security Department formed.

The alleged perpetrators they referred their victims to bank clone websites by extracting their personal information and passwords as a result of which they manage to raise the total amount of their money 86,163.53 euros, transferring it in remittances to various financial institutions both in the country and abroad.

The relevant case files will be submitted to the competent judicial authorities.

Tips to avoid incidents of scamming citizens online

The General Police Directorate of Thessaloniki gives advice to the public in order to avoid cases of fraud by clever people. In particular, it recommends to citizens:

  • buy from trusted sources and shop from companies and stores they know or have bought from before;
  • make sure the data transfer process is secure by looking for the lock symbol in the line (URL) and using HTTPS and SSL protocols when browsing the web.
  • not to submit their card details if they are not purchasing a specific product or service.
  • when buying something online from a private person not to send money in advance to the seller.
  • not to send money to someone they don’t know
  • not to give out their card number, PIN or any other card information via email
  • to avoid online purchases on websites that do not use full authentication (verified by visa / mastercard / secure code)
  • never send their card details by unencrypted email.

The main forms of online fraud

The police, after all, informs that the main forms of online fraud are the following:

  • Phishing of personal information. It is usually done by sending emails from a supposedly existing and legitimate company, which includes a suspicious link or file attachment.
  • Credit card fraud. They are carried out by catching (phishing) the internet of the sensitive

personal data and mainly bank account details via a hyperlink that usually leads to a fictitious bank website.

  • “Nigerian” Scam. In this case emails are sent, informing that someone needs your help in order to transfer a large amount of money (or inheritance), against a large promised fee.
  • In online shopping. Posting offers that are too good to be true and are

available for a limited time.

  • Spanish Lotto. Email notification that you have won a large amount of money in an online lottery.
  • By granting loans. Posts on social media pages about loans with favorable terms from unlicensed operators.
  • With online classifieds. Posting fraudulent advertisements on the internet for renting houses, finding work or buying and selling products.

In the event that citizens fall victim to online fraud, they are invited to report it either to the Electronic Crime Prosecution Directorate by phone at 11188 or via email at [email protected] or to any police or judicial authority throughout the Territory.