Online scams and frauds are one of the oldest tools in the box of cybercriminals. In this presentation, we help you understand:
a. The various types of online scams
b. Tips to stay safe from such scams
c. How Quick Heal can help prevent such scams
2. InThe News – Last 10 Days
A Hyderabad-based industrialist has been
tricked into parting with Rs. 1.48 crore after
some online fraudsters lured him with fictitious
prize money of million pound sterling's.
http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/andhra-pradesh/online-fraud-industrialist-
duped-of-rs-148-cr/article7055501.ece
Pune Police arrested three men for allegedly
duping 26 software engineers of over Rs 1.05
crore in an online scam that claimed to offer
cheap flats.
• http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/pune/3-held-for-duping-26-techies-in-
online-housing-scam/articleshow/46801654.cms
Cyber cell of Lucknow police arrested two
members of an online job fraud gang to which
at least 15 persons have fallen prey.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/lucknow/Two-arrested-for-duping-on-fake-
job-site/articleshow/46751280.cms
3. A Brief Background – Online Fraud
The use of Internet services or software with
Internet access to defraud victims or to otherwise
take advantage of them; for example, by stealing
personal information, which can even lead to
identity theft.
Indian Government reported a 40% increase in
online fraud cases in December 2014.
Don Hankins / Foter / CC BY
https://www.flickr.com/photos/23905174@N00/2524306151/
4. Always Remember...
Scammers & Fraudsters will often try to rush
you into a decision, offering you a limited
'very attractive' opportunity.
If a scam exists in the real world but it’s not
yet on the Internet, just wait for two hours;
it’ll be there.
5. Why is Internet A
Lucrative Business for
Scammers & Fraudsters?
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6. • Rapid growth & daily influx of new &
unaware users
There are around 3 billion Internet Users
WorldWide. (40% of theWorld Population)
Studies suggest, 8 new Internet users are
added every second worldwide.
These are the ‘potential victims’.
Internet - A Lucrative Business For
Scammers
7. • Hidden Identity
It is easy to maintain anonymity on the
Internet.
Fake user accounts, photographs &
incorrect location details can be easily
furnished in the online world.
1 out of every 10 profiles across the Internet
is fake.
Internet - A Lucrative Business For
Scammers
8. • Virtual Actions
Every action that needs to be taken, can be
done from the comforts of home behind the
computer screen.
Knives and pistols are replaced by keyboards
and mouse.
jurvetson / Foter / CC BY
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jurvetson/8523574500/
Internet - A Lucrative Business For
Scammers
9. • Cost’s Involved
Internet connection – Easily affordable
E-mail – Free most of the times
Social profiles – Free
MaintainingWebsites – Easily affordable
Internet - A Lucrative Business For
Scammers
11. Popular Online Scams
Fake ads on online classifieds or auction websites
WhatsApp Calling Invitation Scam
LinkedIn Phishing Email Scam
Work From Home Scam
Nigerian Fraud
Online Romance Scams
12. Scammers list high value goods such as
luxury car at very low prices
They demand some form of processing
payment in a rather smooth way to the
inquiries
Once the initial ‘registration’ money has
been paid, the fake sellers and scammers
stop responding to all emails and calls
Fake ads on online classifieds or auction
websites
13. WhatsApp Calling Invitation Scam
A message is circulating in theWhatsApp
community that goes “Hey, I am inviting
you to tryWhatsapp calling click here to
activate now -
http://WhatsappCalling.com"
14. The link takes the user to a page where you
have to invite 10 friends before they can
start using the feature
WhatsApp Calling Invitation Scam
15. Once users are done inviting 10 users, the
‘Continue’ button is enabled. Clicking on it,
takes the users to a page where they are
asked to complete a survey
WhatsApp Calling Invitation Scam
16. Clicking on the 'Take Survey' button
redirects the users to another page that
asks you to download an app
If you proceed further and download the
app as asked, you won’t be getting the
WhatsApp calling feature. By following all
the steps mentioned above, you will have
only helped the scammer earn money
WhatsApp Calling Invitation Scam
17. LinkedIn Phishing Email Scam
LinkedIn users reported about receiving
emails that seem to be from LinkedIn
support
The recipient is informed about “irregular
activities” in their account, because of which
a compulsory security update is required
The user is advised to download an HTML
file (attached in the email)
18. LinkedIn Phishing Email Scam
If you click the HTML file, it will redirect
you to a fake website that looks like the
actual LinkedIn login page
Any login information you give on this
page will be transmitted directly to the
attacker, who will then hijack your
account
19. Work From Home Scam
Work from home scams are mostly linked to
people who are unemployed and look for
jobs
Job postings are placed on social networks,
emails and other websites
On clicking the job posting, the visitor is
directed to a page demanding some
amount as a registration fee
What happens next ? -We all Know !A
Scam!
20. Nigerian Fraud
Nigerian Fraud is an organized crime mainly
executed via e-mail.
Nigeria Fraud mails comprise about 7% of the
spam mails world wide
Victims have lost 12.7 billion dollars to Nigerian
Scams Globally
Indians top in the victims list losing $870 million
to Nigerian FraudYearly
Gtasahomo2 / Foter / CC BY
https://www.flickr.com/photos/trixieroxxx/5582739056/
22. And then, they try to gain trust & send feelers to the victim.
Nigerian Fraud
23. Nigerian Fraud
Victims on reply are asked to pay a sum
upfront to facilitate the transfer
Once the sum is paid, scammers are out of
contact & out of reach
Scam successful!
24. Online Romance Scams
Dating and romance scams try to lower
your defenses by appealing to your
romantic or compassionate side
They play on emotional triggers to get the
victim shell out money, gifts or personal
details
Scammers target victims by creating fake
profiles on Internet dating / social media
sites
To gain the victim’s trust, scammers go to
great extents such as sharing personal
information & giving gifts
Scammers often take months or even years
to build what seems to be an authentic
online relationship
25. Online Romance Scams
Once trust is established, scammers
ask victims for money for various
reasons such as :
• An family member
• Repaying debts/loan
• Setting up a business
26. Online Romance Scams
Needless to say, scammers vanish once
they get what they seek
In addition to financial losses, victims may
suffer from depression & other mental
issues
27. Some Actions & Reactions
Against Online Scams
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28. Some Actions & Reactions
Never Give Out
Your name
Your address
Your phone number
Your birthday
Your school name
Any other personal/contact information
Every time you give away such information,
you end up compromising your privacy.
29. Some Actions & Reactions
Never Give OutYour Passwords to Anyone
Passwords are:
• Valuable pieces of information
• Can allow someone to access your email
• Can allow access to your bank accounts, credit
cards etc.
No legitimate website or person would ever ask
you for passwords.
30. Some Actions & Reactions
Always check your credit card statements for any discrepancy.
Block or immediately change your banking passwords/pins if you observe any doubtful
transaction.
Report the discrepancy to your bank immediately.
Contact the Cyber Crime cell or your local law enforcement authority.