Eight people were detained in Belgium and the Netherlands as part of a global cybercrime network that established Airbnb fraud centers and stole millions of euros from victims.
Europol, which oversaw the operation, which involved 17 concurrent searches in the two nations on December 3, made the announcement.
The arrests were the result of investigations conducted by a specialized operational task team beginning in 2022.
Three men and one woman, ages 23 to 66, were arrested by the Dutch police (Politie) on suspicion of being involved with the cybercrime gang.
The suspects are charged with money laundering, bank helpdesk fraud, online fraud, phishing, and involvement in a criminal organization.
Additionally, the police officers seized phones, data carriers, luxury goods that were allegedly bought with the money obtained from cybercrime, and substantial quantities of cash.
Using Airbnb rentals as fraud centers
The Dutch authorities claim that the scammers used luxury residences and Airbnb rentals as makeshift call centers from which they conducted phishing campaigns.
They pretended to be bank workers or members of a fraud prevention task force and used email, SMS, or WhatsApp messages to reach victims all over Europe.
After claiming that the victims’ accounts had been compromised, the scammers urged them to click on links that led to phishing websites that mimicked real banking interfaces.
The threat actors took over and swiftly cleared the accounts when the victims input their personal information on those infected pages.
Some victims experienced psychological distress as a result of verbal abuse, particularly if the fraud attempt was unsuccessful.
According to the authorities, the perpetrators lavished the stolen funds on lavish vacation packages, fashionable clothing, high-end cars, luxury watches, and parties at prestigious clubs.
According to Europol, they did not maintain a low profile since they displayed their dubious wealth on social media by posing with different celebrities and sharing pictures of pricey goods.
Use caution when responding to unsolicited communications and call your bank using numbers listed on the official website to confirm any problems with your accounts in order to prevent falling victim to phishing scams and helpdesk fraudsters.
Europol cautions against making tiny payments ($0.001) on websites that offer used products because they might be set up to steal your credit or debit card details.
Also read: Viksit Workforce for a Viksit Bharat
Do Follow: The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News LinkedIn Account | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Facebook | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Youtube | The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News Twitter
About us:
The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News is the premier platform dedicated to delivering the latest news, updates, and insights from the CIO industry. As a trusted source in the technology and IT sector, we provide a comprehensive resource for executives and professionals seeking to stay informed and ahead of the curve. With a focus on cutting-edge developments and trends, The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News serves as your go-to destination for staying abreast of the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and IT. Founded in June 2020, The Mainstream formerly known as CIO News has rapidly evolved with ambitious growth plans to expand globally, targeting markets in the Middle East & Africa, ASEAN, USA, and the UK
