Risks are growing

Online scams, from messages to fake links: here are the new tricks and how to defend yourself

Between social media, e-mails and messages, the risk of fraud is growing

2 June 2024

Truffe tramite whatsapp, ecco come difendersi

4' min read

The latest stunt is that of a lavish profit in exchange for a review. But there are also those who pretend to be a 'careless' son who has lost his phone and asks his mother for help. And there is also the message from a phantom courier asking to click on a link to pick up the parcel that was never ordered. Between social media, emails and messages, the scam risks are growing.

A thousand euro review

It is a film that repeats itself daily in which only the nuances change. Just these days, a message arrived on several whatsapp users from a +62 prefix, Indonesia, promising earnings with little sacrifice: 'Hello. We need someone to evaluate hotel bookings. We will pay 200 € - 1000 €'. Then the job explanation: like or rate. If you are interested, the message invites you to reply by pressing 1 and to contact an administrator at a number with an Italian dialling code.

Truffe tramite whatsapp, ecco come difendersi

Mom I broke the phone

Then there is the message that plays the motherly affection card: 'mum I'm without a phone, mine's broken, can you send me a whastapp to this number?'. It is a pity that sometimes this message arrives directly to the lady's son, or to the number of the mother who is, however, with the son, or to those who have no children at all.

waiting for the courier

Also misleading is the message that arrives by text message or e-mail, announcing that the delivery of the parcel is delayed, or that the parcel you are waiting for is in storage and in order to pick it up, you have to click on the link to activate the procedure for a new delivery. In this case, the logos of the shipping companies are also reproduced. But it only takes a little attention to realise that these are untrue e-mails.

False institutional messages

The effect of surprise and fear are behind the fake messages sent by banks, the post office, the Internal Revenue Service or other institutions. Usually, by e-mail or sms, they report movements on the account by people in Romania or other countries. Even then, they suggest clicking on a link. In the same way, a link is suggested to click on fake e-mails sent by the Revenue Agency or other institutions. Too bad, however, that the uncertain Italian as well as the graphics make it immediately obvious that they are fakes.

The Postal Police

Just how important the phenomenon is is also told by the data on scams and suspects. In 2023, those investigated by the Postal Police numbered 16,637 and saw 3,610 people under investigation. The total number of scams exceeded 139.5 million (EUR 139,536,457) and involved real estate, so-called romance, online trading and commerce and other sectors. "The cases of scams are many and in some cases there is also a recourse by the scammers to the use of generative artificial intelligence," says Barbara Strappato deputy director of the Postal Police, "which is why we always say that we must be careful about the way we interact, even the sites we open. Not only that. There is also to be careful about certain messages, whether sentimental or affective. 'Very often these people appeal to feelings,' he adds, 'such as those of a mother for a child who lives far away. For this reason, we say that at the first doubt it is necessary to stop'.

Useful tips

"The main advice we give is that, which must become a habit, to always use trustworthy sites, and when a user decides to make purchases use official apps," the manager adds. Alarm bells must ring when people are asked for too much information and report immediately if they are being scammed'. Even if one does not end up in the grip of fraudsters, it is still good to report. "There is the possibility of online reporting with the online police station that gives timely advice and," he adds, "sends alerts and provides information to users. This is also the starting point for investigative activities that assign activities to the territorial offices.

Consumer associations

Also in the field to support citizens are the associations involved in protecting consumer rights. "There are now social engineering technologies being used by fraudsters," emphasises Michele Carrus, president of Federconsumatori, "which is why we urge everyone to remember a fundamental principle of caution, the first defender is always you.

Call defence

The suggestion also concerns phone calls from self-styled banking institutions. "We always say to users: when you receive a phone call informing you that you have a problem with your current account or credit card movements and they are perfectly impersonating your bank and also thanks to artificial intelligence technologies - I immediately tell you to stop and hear from the bank through official channels, also because no bank or financial or other institution asks for codes".

Watch out for bargain prices

An alarm bell must ring when one is in the presence of items on sale at too low a price. "It is clear that there is something that does not work," adds Carrus, "in this case I would say that it is better to leave it alone, just as it is always a good idea to look at payment methods and use those that are safe and certified, and I would be wary of recharging on cards that are perhaps not connected to accounts located in Italy or Europe.