Athens, October 2, 2014
PRESS RELEASE
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate investigated a case of attempted fraud by an employment agency operating illegally via the internet
A case has been filed against a 22-year-old Greek national
The Hellenic Police's Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate has filed a regular procedure case against a 22-year-old Greek national, who is accused of attempted fraud and violation of the law regarding the operation of private employment agencies.
This was preceded by complaints from citizens regarding online advertisements for alleged job offers in various specialties (kindergarten teachers, educators, programmers, electronics engineers, etc.) in foreign countries (Australia, Africa, Canada, Europe, etc.). For the alleged job offer, advance payments were requested, under the pretext of covering expenses, in order for the interested candidate to take the alleged job position abroad, while personal data and documents of the candidate (identity card, degree, photographs, etc.) were often requested.
From the investigation of the case, it emerged that the specific job advertisements, which were posted on the internet, had deceptive content, while there was no physical headquarters, nor a legal license to operate a private employment agency.
Specifically, within the framework of the criminal preliminary examination, the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate conducted a thorough digital investigation and analysis of electronic traces, followed up with correspondence with the relevant mobile and fixed telephony providers and, as a result, the involvement of the 22-year-old Greek national in the case was identified.
The case file compiled for the case will be submitted to the competent Prosecution Authority.
In light of this specific case, the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate informs citizens to be particularly careful when searching for work in advertisements published online. It also recommends and urges internet users not to send personal or financial information to unknown individuals, while they should cross-check the existence of the companies offering the jobs and communicate with them in order to verify the content of the advertisements.
Specifically, citizens are given the following advice:
- Cross-check the details of each potential employer, professional or employment agency through a second source or the telephone directory and then contact the employer directly.
- Do not trust those who, via the internet, ask you for money in advance to find you a job or offer you a job.
- Never agree to pay for “exclusive” job information or to get a specific position.
- Pay special attention when contacting companies located outside your country or receiving messages from purported foreign companies.
- If an opportunity or job promises too much or high salaries, which will even double in a short period of time, or if something else doesn't seem right to you, it is probably a misleading - deceptive message.
It is recalled that for similar incidents, citizens can contact the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate at the following contact details:
- By phone: 210-6476464
- By sending an e-mail to: ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr
- Through the application for smart phones with ios-android operating system: CYBERALERT
