Police ask for caution: cybercriminals have devised a new form of fraud

In this case, people who want to sell various items, such as car tires, a stroller, a computer, or a game console, are affected. After placing an ad, scammers who supposedly want to buy items always contact sellers through various communication apps: Wyber, Skype, Messenger, Snapchat, Facebook, or similar. Offer to ask a courier to pick up the item at the seller’s home.

For sellers who are less concerned, a fake link is sent to popular platforms and they enter the requested personal information: name, address, bank card number, and more. In addition, a deposit of 1 EUR is requested, which is said not to be refunded if the arriving courier does not find anything at home. As soon as you click “I agree”, all human data falls into the hands of scammers. The latter, using the data obtained, orders products from foreign electronic stores and the person receives a request for payment confirmation, thinking that he confirms the transaction for a deposit of 1 euro, he actually pays for the purchase made by the scammers.

According to officials, the damage is not significant: it ranges between 300 and 600 euros, but such scams are growing rapidly. Officials suspect such crimes are committed by people from foreign (eastern) countries. Communication apps usually display a Lithuanian phone number; Scammers are suspected of using prepaid mobile cards purchased in Lithuania to activate them. When a crime is committed, the links are immediately removed.

Officials urge vigilance, especially if the person who wants to buy the item does not contact them by phone, but requires entering personal information and bank details through various applications and links posted.

If you have been the victim of scams or suspected fraud intentions, please inform the police at www.epolicija.lt or by calling 112.