Social illness: How scammers exploit old scams to exploit coronavirus | money

The email is threatened immediately. “I know all the little secrets that are dirty about your life,” it begins. “Tell me to prove my point. [REDACTED] Ring the bell? That was one of your passwords. “

The message also informs the recipient that they know where they live, talk to them, and how they are spending before delivering the punch line. You pay via Bitcoin … if I didn’t receive the payment: さ せ Infect the whole family with the coronavirus. “

Welcome to the underworld of Covid-19. This depends on your stance, but can be viewed as the biggest public health and economic emergency over the century, or an opportunity to pursue a lot of money from an effective home arrest market.

This email is a type of so-called “sextion” scam that threatens people with the threat of X-rated photos being sent to family and friends (inevitably, some payments will be made ). Currently, the latest coronavirus iteration is being intercepted by internet security company Sophos.

A group survey estimates that coronavirus email fraud has nearly tripled in the past week, and that nearly 3% of global spam is now related to Covid-19. According to Sophos, the attackers are impersonating the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations.

Chester Wisniewski, Principal Research Scientist at the company, said: “Cyber ​​criminals are not spending time shifting their dirty, proven attack campaigns to lure lures that prey on the growing fear of the virus. Criminals report new or sensational topics Often, the toes are often immersed in water.

“[In] One of the spam campaigns we tracked this week. There was evidence … the body of the email pretends to be the source [a WHO email address] Although the attachment contains “Health Advice,” a careful inspection of the plain text body shows that it is consistent with previous spam campaigns. [a familiar] criminal. “

Email spam campaigns are usually designed to capture personal information about individuals, and criminals can use that information to steal funds. However, the range of various scams is much wider than malicious email.

Neil Tyson, head of the consulting firm’s Fraud Management Resource Center, said: “Criminals knock on phones, text messages, emails, posts, or doors. They make use of all five of them. People use doors selling fake test kits and fake treatments. Knock.People will claim to be acting for local governments, saying they need contact details in case of emergency, for example. “

In fact, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute now warns the public not to open doors to fake healthcare workers who claim to provide a “home test” for coronavirus.

That concern has also been reflected in the Bank of England, which indicates that the Covid-19 pandemic is expected to increase fraud over the coming weeks. Conducts authority, the National Cyber ​​Security Center, the National Crime Agency, and behavioral fraud.

According to the latest figures on action scams, since February 1, 2020, there have been 105 coronavirus-related reports, with a total loss of around £ 970,000.

These figures do not include email phishing scams. Probably includes many other cases that have not been reported, Most of the cases recorded relate to online shopping scams where people have not yet ordered protective masks, hand sanitizers, and other items.

Other scams reported include ticket scams, online dating scams, charity scams, and lender scams.

According to a spokeswoman for Action Fraud: Providing false financial support via junk mail, phone calls and text messages.

“This situation is likely to continue, and criminals are trying to take advantage of the further effects of the pandemic, for example, taking advantage of people’s financial concerns and demanding upfront fees. [on] Fake loan; offers high profit investment fraud. Or for pensions. “

The length of time some criminals go is quite staggering.

last week, Ministry of Education warns of fraudulent emails Ask the parents of the children who are eligible for free school meals for bank details so that they can provide meals during school holidays.

Adam French of Consumer Rights Magazine said: “This shows a new low of abominable tactics used by fraudsters to exploit the ongoing coronavirus crisis, which unfortunately created a perfect breeding ground for fraud.

“The best way for consumers to protect themselves is to stay alert and take special precautions before clicking on spam, text, or answering calls. Computers, mobile phones, Make sure your tablet is supported with the latest security updates and consider installing antivirus software to minimize threats. “

Scams move almost like viruses, so aside from the scams already in operation, there is no doubt that others will emerge. Some people are obeying the law, which has suffered financial difficulties because of the pandemic, and others are afraid that they will try their luck.

A spokesman for the British Insurance Company Association warned: “Experience has shown that in the age of austerity, insurance fraud (and many other forms of fraud) tends to increase. This is the temptation for individuals and owners of failed businesses to commit fraud. Could lead to

“we are [also] … Aware of several insurance frauds that are beginning to appear in the United States, including fake Covid-19 health insurance [where] Scammers market low-cost health insurance and promise full coverage at affordable prices. “