What To Do If You Are A Victim Of A Money Laundering Scam

Criminals are quick to exploit the ignorance and vulnerability of their victims. The recent proliferation of devices, from smartphones and tablets to web-continued appliances, has opened us all up to even greater risks.

Yet past simply post-obit a few common sense rules, you tin drastically reduce your exposure and the run a risk of being taken in past these fraudsters.

COVID-19 (coronavirus)

We are seeing criminals trying to cash in on the coronavirus outbreak.

Medical supplies

With surgical masks and other medical supplies in high need all the same difficult to discover in retail stores, fake shops, websites, social media accounts and e-mail addresses challenge to sell these items have sprung up online.

Simply instead of receiving the promised masks and supplies, unsuspecting victims have seen their money disappear into the hands of the criminals involved.

Telephone fraud

Criminals are besides using telephone deception to carry out financial frauds – they will call victims pretending to piece of work for a hospital or medical clinic, claiming that a relative of the victim has fallen ill with the virus and asking payments for medical treatment.

In many cases, the fraudsters impersonate legitimate companies, using similar names, websites and e-mail addresses in their attempt to fox unsuspecting members of the public, even reaching out proactively via emails and messages on social media platforms.

Warning signs

If you are looking to purchase medical supplies online, or receive emails or links offering medical support, be alert to the signs of a potential scam to protect yourself and your money.

Independently verify the company/private offering the items before making whatever purchases;
Be enlightened of bogus websites – criminals will often apply a web accost which looks almost identical to the legitimate 1, e.yard. 'abc.org' instead of 'abc.com';
Bank check online reviews of a visitor before making a purchase – for example, have there been complaints of other customers not receiving the promised items?;
Be wary if asked to make a payment to a banking company business relationship located in a dissimilar country than where the company is located;
If you believe y'all have been the victim of fraud, warning your bank immediately so the payment tin can be stopped.
Exercise not click on links or open attachments which you were non expecting to receive, or come from an unknown sender;
Be wary of unsolicited emails offering medical equipment or requesting your personal information for medical checks – legitimate health authorities do not ordinarily contact the general public in this way.

Not-commitment fraud

In not-commitment fraud, criminals hope victims highly sought-afterwards goods, accept payment, and then never deliver. While the principle is simple, the fraud scheme is oft sophisticated. Criminals can adapt a well-established modus operandi to suit whatever product, whether it is medical equipment, puppies, office supplies or electronics.

Read: 5 reasons not-delivery fraud works

Telecom fraud

Random victims are contacted by a criminal claiming to be a friend, relative or someone in a position of authority and tricked into parting with money.

DON'T panic! If you receive a call saying a friend or relative is in trouble, first try to check the identity of the caller only don't call back the same number.
DON'T give any personal or confidential information over the phone.
DON'T trust someone who claims to exist a government official or police force enforcement officer; they never demand payment or confidential information. DO contact your local law to check.

Romance Scams

Criminals develop a "relationship" with victims through social media with the ultimate goal of obtaining coin.

DO exist vigilant if you are approached past someone you don't know, particularly if it leads to a request for money.
Practise think twice before transferring money, however genuine the asking might seem.
DON'T disclose personal/confidential data on social media.

Investment/Boiler room fraud

Victims are pressured into investing in fraudulent or worthless shares.

DO be skeptical if you receive a cold telephone call on investment opportunities.
Practice verify the authenticity of investment products and consult an independent financial advisor.
DON'T transfer money to anyone just based on a call.

Sextortion

Victims (frequently men) are tricked by an bonny stranger into participating in naked videos chats which are secretly recorded and afterward used for blackmail.

Practise remember that cipher is private on the web and information cannot exist erased.
DO ask pertinent questions and attempt to verify the identity of anyone who approaches you.
If yous do receive a blackmail threat, DON'T pay up, report it to the police.

Payment cards

DO continue your cards safe. Regularly bank check your depository financial institution/credit card accounts.
Practice wait carefully at ATMs and payment terminals to make sure there are no suspicious objects effectually the bill of fare slot.
Do keep your distance from other people when using payment terminals.
DON'T disclose your Pivot/passwords. Banks volition never ask you for this over the phone or by email.
DON'T provide bank details unless you lot initiated the payment process.
If yous are contacted by your bank to update details or have reward of a special offer, DON'T click on the link in the email. Check out the legitimate website or contact the depository financial institution.
DON'T brand a payment online or do whatever online banking if you are connected to public Wi-Fi, as your information can be easily stolen.

Money laundering

DO be suspicious if you are asked to let someone else employ your bank account.
DO be wary of cash transactions apropos big amounts of coin, there are much more secure payment methods bachelor.
DON'T let yourself be manipulated. Criminal syndicates often operate by developing relationships with their victims before tricking them into handling money

Source: https://www.interpol.int/en/Crimes/Financial-crime/Financial-crime-don-t-become-a-victim

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