Fraud Alert: Organized Crime Targets Middle East Women in Sophisticated Scheme
A sophisticated fraud campaign has been uncovered by cybersecurity firm Group-IB, targeting female consumers in the Middle East with limited tech expertise. The campaign, attributed to organized crime groups, involves multiple stages and requires a high level of operational maturity.
The scheme begins with cybercriminals purchasing stolen government account logins on the dark web. They then impersonate government officials, contacting consumers who've submitted complaints. Posing as helpful agents, they offer assistance with refunds, tricking victims into downloading remote access software. This software allows scammers to steal credit card details and one-time passwords (OTPs).
The fraudsters use real customer data for social engineering, targeting women with limited tech knowledge. Once they gain access to victims' devices, they make 3D-secure purchases or recharge e-wallets to cash out. The campaign requires extensive coordination for cashing out and money laundering, involving specialized roles and a mature level of operations.
Group-IB has warned consumers in the Middle East about this ongoing threat. Authorities are working to dismantle the fraud ring. Victims are advised to be cautious of unsolicited calls offering help with refunds and to avoid downloading software from unknown sources.
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