A joint operation by Belgian and Dutch authorities, supported by Europol, dismantled a massive phishing scam that caused millions of euros in damages across at least 10 European countries.
According to Hackread*, the scammers, mainly based in the Netherlands, posed as police or bank staff to target elderly victims through various tactics, including online data theft, phone phishing, and door-to-door fraud. The operation began in 2022 and concluded with 17 searches and 8 arrests in Belgium and the Netherlands. Authorities seized electronic devices, luxury items, cash, and a firearm. They urge citizens to be cautious of suspicious messages and to keep their security software updated.
These arrests are likely to disrupt the criminal market but not enough for people to relax into a false sense of security.
The most common way people get caught up in these scams is when they do not confirm the identity of who they are dealing with and end up sharing personal or financial information with criminals. Even though legitimate authorities will not request sensitive details this way, people often still become manipulated or simply find the timing of the situation fits perfectly with their own narrative. It is, therefore, vital to independently verify the identity of anyone claiming to be from the police or your bank by contacting the organisation directly using official contact details and to call them back in case they are using number spoofing technology.
Always remain cautious of unsolicited communications but especially from those creating a sense of urgency to prompt immediate action. Furthermore, it is important to keep your devices up to date and packed with the latest security software.
by Jake Moore, ESET
*ESET does not bear any responsibility for the accuracy of this information.
ESET Ireland 