Man sentenced to jail for SMS phishing scam stealing $69,751, targeted 450 victims; banks, telco and police involved in investigation.
In Australia, a man has been sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for his involvement in a SMS phishing scam. The man was found guilty of various cybercrime offences, including obtaining and supplying data with intent to commit a computer offence, and was linked to the theft of AU$100,000 ($69,751) from the accounts of 39 people. Investigations into the crime began in September 2021, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) worked alongside the NSW Police Cybercrime Squad to execute a search warrant at the man’s home in November.
The AFP also worked with Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, and local telco Telstra to identify victims who provided their personal details to the phishing sites. In addition, the police implemented additional security protocols to prevent further funds from being stolen from the account holders.
In Singapore, a massive phishing scam involving 790 customers of OCBC Bank resulted in losses totalling SG$13.7 million ($10.18 million). The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) issued two alerts via its Facebook page to warn consumers of phishing emails claiming to be its officers and directing recipients to fraudulent websites for monetary compensation. Following the incident, banks rolled out a “kill switch” as part of security measures mandated by the government and consumers were urged to access their accounts via mobile banking apps to minimize risks.
Phishing scams are a serious threat to cyber security and can be devastating for those affected. It is essential that governments, organizations, and individuals take steps to protect themselves from these malicious activities. Consumers should be aware of phishing emails, carefully review messages before clicking on any links, and access their accounts via mobile banking apps to minimize risks. Organizations should implement security protocols such as the “kill switch” to prevent further funds from being stolen. Governments should also work together to investigate and prosecute those responsible for cybercrimes.
Phishing scams are a major threat to internet security and can have devastating consequences for those affected. It is important for governments, organizations, and individuals to take measures to protect themselves from these malicious activities. In Australia, a man has been sentenced to two years and eight months in jail for his involvement in a SMS phishing scam, and the Australian Federal Police (AFP) worked with local banks and telcos to identify victims and implement security measures to prevent further theft. In Singapore, a massive phishing scam involving 790 customers of OCBC Bank resulted in losses totalling SG$13.7 million ($10.18 million). The Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) issued two alerts via its Facebook page to warn consumers of phishing emails and banks rolled out a “kill switch” as part of security measures mandated by the government.
To protect against phishing scams, consumers should be aware of phishing emails, carefully review messages before clicking on any links, and access their accounts via mobile banking apps. Organizations should implement security protocols such as the “kill switch” to prevent further funds from being stolen. Governments should also work together to investigate and prosecute those responsible for cybercrimes. By taking these measures, we can better protect ourselves and our data from falling into the hands of criminals.
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