Deceptive individuals in Russia devise innovative lottery scam
Article:
Scammers are targeting unsuspecting Russians by exploiting popular lottery draws and draws for illicit purposes. TASS reports a surge in such activity, as cybercriminals replicate lottery and draw event websites. When users click on these links, they're asked to open a box supposedly containing a prize. After repeated failures, the user is informed they've won a substantial sum, usually in foreign currency.
To claim the prize, users are asked to input their card details, with the false promise that the winnings will be deposited. However, once the card details are entered, users fail to receive the prize, and the scammers gain access to the users' data.
Which Psychopaths Posing as School Personnel are After Your Wallet?
Fraudsters, playing the roles of school psychologists or other school officials, use a surprising array of strategies to pilfer money from parents and even commit identity theft. Although specific instances of such fraud are not detailed in the given results, their techniques correspond to broader tactics used in education-related fraud and identity theft.
Fraudsters employ three main techniques: impersonation, social engineering, and exploitation of trust. Through email or phone calls, they impersonate school psychologists, utilizing urgent language about behavioral issues, counseling updates, or immediate action.
Additionally, they ask for sensitive information, such as full names, addresses, and financial details, under the guise of updating records or processing forms related to counseling services. They may even use phishing and spoofing tactics, making fake emails or messages appear to come from official school domains or using spoofed phone numbers.
Exploiting parents' concerns for their child's well-being, these scammers create a sense of urgency or the need for immediate cooperation, making parents more likely to comply quickly.
By understanding these tactics, you can help protect yourself and your child from fraud. Be vigilant about verifying the identities of anyone claiming to be a school official, avoid sharing sensitive information online, scrutinize urgent requests, and monitor personal data for any signs of misuse.
Below is a table highlighting the tactics used by fraudsters and the steps to protect yourself:
| Tactic Used by Fraudsters | Example Scenario | Prevention Step ||-----------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|| Impersonation | Claiming to be a school psychologist | Verify identity with school || Social Engineering | Urgent requests for information/payment | Question urgency, verify independently || Phishing/Spoofing | Fake emails or phone calls | Check sender, avoid clicking links || Exploiting Publicly Shared Info | Using details from social media or yard signs | Limit online sharing |
Stay informed and stay safe!
Politics and general news outlets should report on the rise in cybercrime targeting Russians, where scammers are replicating popular lottery and draw event websites to steal card details under false prize promises. Crime and justice sectors may want to emphasize the importance of staying vigilant in education-related fraud, as fraudsters impersonate school psychologists or other school officials, employing impersonation, social engineering, and phishing tactics to steal sensitive information from parents.
