With the advent of the World Wide Web, people's lives changed forever. Every year the Internet takes over more and more space. Now you can meet people online, conduct interviews, buy goods, and negotiate. Even electronic money has appeared that has no paper counterparts - cryptocurrency. People spend a lot of time on the Internet, watching movies, looking for answers to various questions, without thinking about the danger lurking among the links and bright advertising posts. This article will discuss what clever schemes online scammers come up with to catch naive users.
Internet fraud is the scourge of the 21st century
Why are there so many scams online? Fake online stores, chain letters from foreign lawyers promising millions of dollars in inheritance, generous employers, fantastic investment projects are just some of the common schemes. Why do people naively believe tempting advertisements, beautiful videos and are ready to give their money to someone? There is only one reason - the average person’s inescapable desire to get rich, to find that red “Loot” button, by clicking which you can get a “freebie”.
Moreover, there are not only those who want to solve financial problems, but also “peaceful film lovers”, owners of accounts on social networks, gamers, children, housewives who like cats, shopaholics - no one is protected. The main risk group: those looking for work online and the desperate, for whom the Internet has become the last place of consolation:
- the first to consider any proposals for combined employment;
- the latter are faced with serious problems in reality and need urgent financial assistance.
Money scams work flawlessly not only with naive users. Often you come across “shot sparrows”. Moreover, new fraudulent schemes are constantly appearing on the Internet, striking in their arrogance and scale.
What are the attackers trying to achieve?
Scammers on the Internet want one thing - to extract more money from naive victims. For them, this is a way of “not dusty income.” All you have to do is come up with a beautiful bait and send it to a large number of users. Among ten, a hundred or a thousand recipients, there will certainly be at least a couple of people. And he will give the money to the scammer. The income of especially “lucky” authors is amazing - millions of rubles for a one-page website, a mailing list, or an “inviting” video!
If one scheme fails, they will come up with another. The first site with deception will be blocked, and a second one will appear. Dozens of “chain letters” from unknown senders arrive in the mail every day.
What threatens the “cheaters”?
According to the provisions of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, namely Article 159.6 “Fraud in the field of computer information”, attackers can expect:
- a fine of 120 thousand rubles or in the amount of the salary/other income of the convicted person;
- restriction of freedom – 2 years;
- forced labor – 1 year;
- prison arrest - 4 months.
The punishment is determined by the court after all the circumstances of the case have been clarified. What matters is the degree of harm caused to the victim and the number of attackers - whether there was one or acted in a group. More severe punitive measures are provided for a group crime.
There are police departments that deal with cybercrimes. They monitor the activities of suspicious groups on the network, block malicious sites, and can determine the address of a fraudster based on IP and other characteristics. Therefore, you cannot consider yourself invisible. Any action, even on the Internet, leaves traces.
You can criticize police officers who are involved in solving crimes related to illegal activities on the Internet as much as you like. But if you have become a victim of scammers, then you should never refuse the opportunity to contact law enforcement agencies. It will not be lost on you, and even if your money cannot be returned, then at least you can protect other people from criminal schemes and atrocities of unscrupulous citizens carrying out their fraudulent activities on the Internet.
How to bring cheaters to justice
To bring the perpetrators to justice for their actions, it is necessary to contact the authorities that perform law enforcement functions. These are: police, prosecutor's office, court. In any case, it will be necessary to provide evidence that an illegal act took place. People who make transfers to strangers should be sure that it is not a scammer. Otherwise, there is a high probability that a scammer is working with you. You should be wary of the fact that they do not agree to pay for only part of the purchase.
If you have become a victim of fraud, where can you report it?
Financial fraud is common online, so it is important to remain vigilant. People think that since they are at home, and the rest of the world is hidden behind walls and iron doors, they are safe. Unfortunately, the Internet can become a “window” through which attackers can find a victim.
Upon realizing that he has been deceived, the user must immediately:
- Call your bank - the support service is constantly working, telephone numbers are listed on the official website of the institution, stamped on the card. Report the incident and ask to block the account if he disclosed the card details to third parties.
- Write to the support service operator of your electronic payment system with a similar request. The main thing is to block scammers’ access to savings.
- Make a detailed statement , indicating all the identified facts. This will help attract unscrupulous individuals.
- A similar statement must be sent to the police in department “K” of the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs - the unit dealing with cybercrimes. Indicate there the address of the scammers’ website, save correspondence with them and other facts.
You can additionally report intruders to the following Internet corporations:
- Yandex companies - here;
- Google - here.
Even your short note will allow specialists to quickly identify suspicious activity on the part of ill-wishers. This may sound pretentious, but we can only eradicate fraud on the Internet through joint efforts.
Customer service numbers and official websites of banks (if you are a victim of a scam related to banking transactions):
| Name | Number |
| Sberbank | 900 – free from Russian mobile phones +7 – anywhere in the world |
| VTB 24 | 8800 – hotline 8800 100 24 24 – free from landline and mobile phones in Russia +7 – anywhere in the world |
| Alfa Bank | 8 800 2000 000 – support service +7 495 78 888 78 – anywhere in the world |
It would be a good idea to warn your friends (online and in real life) about what happened.
Is it possible to get money back legally?
There is a chance to return a money transfer made to scammers. If a customer reports online extortion to their bank, employees will conduct an appropriate investigation. Based on the result of which the decision will be made. Return the person’s money or refuse.
Canceling an electronic payment is much more difficult. For example, for purchases made by the user in an online store. Then the deception is revealed much later. Or the account owner himself violated the requirements of the payment system by disclosing the access code to strangers.
If the police accept the complaint and an investigation is carried out and the culprits are found, the court will oblige them to pay compensation for all damage caused.
Examples
- They stole a phone, gained access to email and the personal account of a mobile operator, changed the code word at the bank, and withdrew money from a credit card. It could have been prevented by following steps: 1, 15, 17, 35, 82-90. Full description in the article.
- The scammers have manufactured a fake cellular base station. The victim made a call from the coverage area of this station, after which the SIM card data fell into the hands of fraudsters. Then they made a clone of the SIM card and, using the Mobile Payments service, stole money from the account. There were no SMS or calls; the victim accidentally noticed that the money in the account had decreased significantly. It could have been prevented by following steps: 13, 24. Full description in the article.
- The scammers hacked the victim's Yandex email and linked his card to the account. Then a small amount was withdrawn in several payments. It could have been prevented by following steps: 91, 92, 93. Full description in the article.
- A classic scheme of telephone scam with the bank security service, the prosecutor and the Central Bank. The scammers were well prepared for the attack, using photos of relatives in their dialogues and intimidating them. As a result, the girl took dictation to apply for loans and transfer money to “protected” accounts. Damage 700k. It could have been prevented by following steps: 6, 12, 40. Full description in the article.
- The victim had a Trojan on her device. A call from the “security service”, a long conversation with the scammers, the woman said that she had received an SMS with a code, but did not mention the code. As a result, the scammers linked their phone number and transferred 230k to their master account. It could have been prevented by following steps: 6, 7, 40. Full description in the article.
- A call from the “security service”, a long conversation, the scammers asked to open the Alfa Bank application and asked if the SMS had arrived. As a result, the victim did not give the code from the SMS, but the money was stolen from the account. Most likely there was a Trojan on the device that sent SMS to the scammers’ server. It could have been prevented by following steps: 6, 12, 40. Full description in the article.
- The crooks somehow learned the code word and the answers to the security questions. Next, they linked their phone number to the victim’s bank account and emptied the card, forcing it into overdraft. It is difficult to put a card without an overdraft into overdraft, but it is possible. Such an attack is prevented by following steps: 33, 79, 91, 92, 93. Full description in the article.
- The crooks somehow found out the victim’s code word and answers to the victim’s security questions, linked their number to his bank account, issued a credit card and withdrew 93,000 rubles from it. It could have been prevented by following steps: 6, 21, 33, 40, 79. Full description in the article.
The most common types of fraud on the Internet today
Attackers come up with something new every day, but any cunning scheme can be seen through. The main sign is “divorce for money”, i.e. request to “pay a commission”, “delivery of a gift”, “for account verification”, etc. They do not risk asking for large sums, usually 150 - 500 rubles , which the victim does not consider a big loss.
Let's consider several well-known schemes.
Identity theft
There are several options for obtaining secret information, which scammers use to clean out victims’ bank and electronic accounts:
- Sending SMS messages supposedly from the bank with a request to confirm your identity and “protect your account.” Usually the “operator” asks you to send him the card data - number, 3 digits on the back, verification word. You cannot name them to third parties! Even bank employees don't ask for this.
- Fake sites of well-known social networks such as Facebook, VKontakte and others. A person is watching a movie or reading an article, and then a supposedly “new message” appears from an unknown person. I received a notification from the social network. An interested user clicks and decides to read. A fake page will open asking you to log in - enter your username and password. A person does this, and immediately his data is automatically read. This is how attackers hack personal pages. The method is known as phishing, that is, “catching fish.”
“Lazy” users who have the same login + password for several resources may suffer. For example, from an Instagram page, VKontakte and email. Then they risk losing all their accounts at once.
Fraud with bank cards
Requests to take a photo of your card on both sides to “confirm payment” or provide information for “transferring free money.” To pay for virtual purchases, it is more convenient to use electronic wallets. At most, provide the bank card number (long) and issue date.
Some manage to create a copy of the map based on the photograph sent by the unlucky victim. Then they withdraw all the money in the usual way.
Fake event tickets
An old scam, it was still used during the USSR. They sold several tickets for one seat, and each ticket was real! People came to the theater, circus or concert, but there was nowhere to sit. It’s worse if there is no event at all, but the money is spent. Now you can order your ticket online, instead of standing in line at the ticket office. It is better to use the services of trusted institutions without relying on intermediaries.
Work from home scams
Many people dream of earning money while sitting at home in front of the computer. Don’t travel anywhere, get rid of your annoying boss and “nice” team! Give yourself a weekend whenever you want, and most importantly, get more money than the official “uncle” salary. You can really get a job online and earn an income. However, you should forget about the magic “Loot is here” button. You will have to work, moreover, there are no guarantees of getting results.
People want to make a profit right away, and a big one, and scammers take advantage of this:
- Filling out 200 forms at $10 each . Every day you just need to fill out 200 registration forms on the site. And get 2000 dollars a day. Upon completion of the “work”, you can withdraw “earnings”; in return, you only need to “pay a commission”.
- Typing . An anonymous person sends letters via email. Offers to take orders for typing text from photographs. The size of the orders is decent, 30-50 sheets, the payment is also pleasing: 3500-4500 rubles, the execution time for one is 8-15 days. You can submit it faster. The only alarming thing is the insurance premium of 350-450 rubles. The “employer” hides behind it, supposedly this is reinsurance against unscrupulous performers. In reality, typing costs much less, maximum 8-15 rubles per page! Not 250-300 as you can see there.
- Making pens/notebooks and other office supplies at home . With the purchase of materials.
Offers come in various forms. There are two things that give scammers away: overpayment for minimal work by the performer and a request to “pay for something.” Most “employers” have already been added to the blacklist; their website addresses are easy to find in articles with warnings.
Sweepstakes and lotteries
You always want to win a million. Many people dream of how they will spend that kind of money, and there are real examples of lucky people. But if:
- a certain anonymous person offers to make money on bets with him, making “winning” bets on sports, expenses in half and profit in half;
- a “letter of happiness” arrived in the mail - supposedly an IP address, a review, a like you once gave became a winning one;
- the author of the article invites you to play at the casino according to his “secret scheme” that promises constant winnings;
- Google is celebrating its anniversary, and the user has become the 1000th participant and is entitled to a reward.
It's all a hoax ! It’s easy to fight the temptation - just type the name of the “company” or the name of an anonymous person into a search engine and add “Reviews”. For example: “Lottery win a million reviews” will be an exposé article with a step-by-step description of the scammer’s plan.
Online dating?
You can find true friends, like-minded people and even your other half on the Internet. Through dating sites, thematic groups, online chats where singles gather to chat. The main thing is not to run into a “dear friend” or a “charming stranger” who will extract money from the unlucky Romeo:
- will ask for a loan;
- will tell a tearful story about a relative’s misfortune/illness;
- promises mountains of gold;
- will offer to invest, become a sponsor;
- admits that he sent the gift by mail, you just need to pay for postage.
There are plenty of options. The main thing is a creative approach!
Financial pyramids
Successful investors actually make decent money. Sometimes they receive thousands of dollars from projects. But to invest successfully you need experience, money and knowledge. The online offer: “Give $100 today and get $1000 in a week” is definitely suspicious. In addition, it is very difficult to check most projects remotely.
The authors can shoot beautiful videos where a man in a beautiful suit drives a foreign car and stands in a room in a mansion, talking with a smile about an investment project. You can't take his word for it.
I'll give it away for free
Special groups “I’ll give for free” on social networks, especially Vkontakte. Some “generous owners” of expensive equipment offer to give away “unnecessary things” for free. Post pictures of the item and description. You just need to repost, like and wait until the author of the post chooses the “lucky one”. Write him/her a private message. All that remains is to tell him the address, your full name and... pay for delivery by mail. Of course, the “freebie” will be “lost” somewhere, and those 200-300 rubles will disappear forever.
Instant games, casinos - scam!
Roulettes, online casinos and gambling mini-games have not gone away. The essence of these projects is for you to deposit money, play and, in rare cases, even win. However, the negative expected value algorithm does not work for you: while YOU play, the algorithm uses psychological deception tricks.
No matter how much you win, the result will always be the same: in the long run, you are doomed to lose, risking losing huge amounts of money. This applies to both casinos and services with instant mini-games. There are a lot of these games now, they are bright, beautiful and pleasing to the eye. But admit it, do you think that the services were created so that you could get as much money as possible?
Some people start believing in strategies for winning moves, but none of it works. Strategies only create the illusion that you are able to deceive the system, but in reality the opposite will happen. Addiction to gambling can lead you into a hole of debt in which you will wake up to calls from debt collectors. After all, in order to play, many people take out quick loans and microloans.
How to protect yourself from scammers on the Internet?
These tips will help new and experienced network users:
- Use a search engine to check all suspicious offers from unknown senders.
- Do not send money to unknown people - no matter if they ask you to pay a commission, verify your account, or pay for a “currency exchange”.
- Find out more information about the subscriber. His physical address, TIN (if organization), telephone.
- Read monthly financial statements, check your account every day using your banking app.
- Donate money only to well-known funds that have a license and other data
- Do not take medications, dietary supplements and other drugs of unknown quality.
- Investment is always a lottery, and investing in online projects is even more so.
- You cannot agree to “launder money,” collect a check, or send a money order. The bank client is responsible for each check collected by him.
- It is illegal not to participate in foreign lottery draws. Do not play in online casinos, especially using “cunning schemes”. The Martingale method has long been known to most owners of such establishments.
- Do not succumb to blackmail by scammers if they threaten to kill your family, find the victim by his IP address. All threats to keep will be useful as incriminating material.
The main thing is not to believe the promises of “mountains of gold” and quick earnings. And if you cheated, block the account immediately.
Install an unwanted ad blocker
There are free options like AdGuard , it automatically blocks all pop-ups, warns about malicious links, etc. You just need to install it once and the program will start automatically.
The most popular browser software products that help protect against online fraud are AdBlock , AdBlock Plus , Ghostery and uBlock Origin . Their analogues can also be found for smartphones.
Check your computer regularly for spyware
It is better not to use third-party links, not to follow the “advice” of anonymous message senders in the spirit: “Look, there you are! Link". To be on the safe side, it is better to use special resources like Spybot . They will help keep the user safe. It is impossible to identify a spy bug yourself. It can “penetrate” software when a person visits websites or downloads music.
Avoid downloading files from little-known sites
There is a risk of personal data theft, and often on such pages they “distribute” viruses that can significantly complicate the life of the average person. It’s better to choose 2-3 proven resources and look for films and the right songs there. It is advisable to do without registering and entering personal data.
Don't forget to update your operating system to the latest version
Developers regularly improve the security properties and relevance of the software. You can make the update automatic, then the system itself will search for the update in official sources and request a computer restart. This is easy to do in the settings.
Install an antivirus on your computer and phone
By purchasing it from an official distributor. Like Kaspersky or 360, it has a free trial for all devices. Antiviruses for tablets and phones are downloaded like regular applications. They weigh a little, but provide 24/7 protection with updates from the developer.
Keep your passwords secret
Fraudsters on the Internet try to trick users into giving them their passwords in a variety of ways. From pages, bank cards, electronic wallets. Such data is confidential. You can't even tell bank employees! Not to mention third parties. If the cheat sheet with such information is missing, you need to change your PIN and password immediately.
Crime and Punishment
As soon as you realize that you have encountered scammers, immediately contact the police.
According to the law, an application can be submitted both in writing and orally. They must accept it, check the grounds and review it within three days. Please include as many details as possible in your application:
- phone numbers of scammers who called you;
- their card numbers or bank accounts to which you were asked to transfer funds;
- short numbers you were asked to call back;
- other details that you can remember.
Responsibility
In accordance with Art. 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, a citizen can be held accountable for fraud. Depending on the situation, penalties may include:
When the scammer worked alone:
- fine up to 120 thousand rubles;
- public works up to 180 thousand hours;
- correctional labor for up to one year;
- arrest up to four months;
- imprisonment for up to two years.
For a group of people:
- fine up to 300 thousand rubles;
- public works from 180 thousand to 240 thousand hours;
- correctional labor for up to two years;
- imprisonment for up to five years.
In case of group fraud on a particularly large scale:
- fine up to 1 million rubles;
- imprisonment from six to ten years.
