PRESS RELEASE – The Cybercrime (DIE) informs about a new method used by fraudsters to deceive and blackmail unsuspecting citizens
Under the pretext that someone close to them is facing a serious health problem, they urge citizens to make video calls via the internet, asking them to remove their clothes in order to be "examined" by alleged doctors
Then, the perpetrators, after having previously recorded the audiovisual material of the communication, proceed to blackmail their victims, asking them for money to not publish the material in question.
Citizens are asked to be particularly careful to avoid fraud and protect their personal data
The Hellenic Police's Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE), as part of its preventive action, informs citizens about the prevention and avoidance of being defrauded by the constantly changing forms of fraud via the internet.
Specifically, the Directorate for the Prosecution of Electronic Crime (DIE) informs about a new case of fraud and subsequent extortion of citizens, by cunning individuals who use a specific methodology.
More specifically, unknown individuals make phone calls to unsuspecting citizens and falsely inform them that a close relative or friend of theirs is facing a serious health problem.
In fact, to give the necessary credibility, they present themselves as doctors and urge citizens to make a video call via the internet, removing their clothes, in order to be "examined" by the so-called doctors, so that their loved one's condition can be " treated "
Then, after having recorded the audiovisual material, they blackmail their victims, demanding that they pay them sums of money in order not to publish the recorded material on the internet.
The Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE) asks citizens to be particularly careful to avoid possible fraud and protect their personal data and recommends:
- not to respond to and not to be persuaded by such inducements,
- to verify the health status of their relatives before taking any action,
- Be especially careful when making video calls with unknown people over the internet.
- not to exchange digital personal data with strangers on the internet, as their security is at risk.
It is recalled that citizens can contact the Cybercrime Prosecution Directorate (DIE) anonymously or by name, to provide information or report illegal and reprehensible actions or activities carried out via the Internet, at the following contact details:
By phone at: 111 88
By e-mail at: ccu@cybercrimeunit.gov.gr
Through the application for smartphones, with iOS-android operating system: CYBERKID.
Via Twitter "SOS Cyber Alert Line": @cyberalertGR
