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For several weeks, on social networks, dozens of people have complained of having been victims of virtual scammers. People tell, mainly in Facebook groups, how they were tricked into giving personal information to people who claimed to be bona fide buyers.
How does the system work? What do OLX reps say?
The recipients are, in particular, Romanians who sell various items on the OLX platform that they no longer need: clothes, armchairs, shoes, etc. They are contacted by WhatsApp by alleged buyers who inform them that they have already made the payment through various online methods. To be credible, please attach some photos of a ghost site, which is strikingly similar to the OLX platform. Those who do not pay attention to the name in the site brochure can be quickly misled. The ghost site address is like: olx.ro-curier.online, while the OLX site address is simply OLX.ro.
The scammers then ask the sellers to send them your bank account and card details so that people can receive their money in advance. Once this is done, criminals can access your account and transact with your money online.
One young woman said that only the security system of the bank where she has an account saved her from harm. “I, naive by nature, entered my card details, without realizing that what it was asking for were the card details, including the CVV. Good luck with the bank, which sent me the confirmation code, in which I am notified the amount of 4000UAH (Ukrainian hryvnia). I made the conversion, 633 RON, “says the young woman. Basically, if I sent the confirmation to the bank, it would transfer the 633 lei, the equivalent of 4000 Ukrainian hryvnia, to a foreign account. Finally, the woman asked the bank to block account.
“Darlings, we were going to have it with strollers. Two other friends too! One buyer from Africa and one from Finland!” Said another woman, in a sales group on Facebook.
I also asked OLX representatives for a point of view, who are aware of the problem and ask platform users to be very careful with whom they come in contact.
“We are facing a phishing attempt through which the supposed buyers approach the sellers in channels other than the official OLX messaging (SMS or WhatsApp). From there, sellers are directed to a fake page, where their card details are requested. All this in a bad language, with many errors of expression. We advise users to be very careful where they leave their bank details and to always keep the conversation in our chat, so that we can help them in case of fraud ”. – say OLX representatives, for antena3.ro
In addition, representatives of the second-hand sales platform in Romania offer various tips, aimed at protecting users.
1. Don’t leave the OLX chat. Keep the discussion here so we can help you in case of fraud.
2. Please check the website address carefully – make sure it is “https://www.olx.ro/“and the connection is secure. If you have ever reached a site other than the one mentioned above, leave it as soon as possible and do not leave your personal data such as password, card number or PIN.
3. Avoid any payment in advance, regardless of the pretext that another user comes and does not publish their card details on another site. If you are asked to do so, please let us know so we can intervene as soon as possible.
Romanian police know about the phenomenon, but cannot stop it
The Romanian police also came with advice for Romanians. These cases are almost impossible to solve, since most of the time the transactions are made through ghost sites in other countries, where access is very difficult.
“More and more speculators have appeared on sites selling second-hand items … like mushrooms after the rain, we can say. Some of the clues that may help you discover them:
– I deceive you that they want to buy immediately and do not ask extra questions about the product.
– Romanian written language leaves a lot to be desired … Google Translate is not really a genius!
– It informs you that they have already paid into an account on the site, and all you have to do is enter your card details to receive the respective amount … DO NOT DO THIS!
– Suggest that I send them more information about the product on a phone number abroad “- reported the policemen on the Facebook page of the Romanian Police.
Sep 04, 12:52
