Londerzeel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) -Two Dutchmen from Londerzeel and Antwerp were arrested by the police. They were disguised as Card Stop workers with the intent of scammers of the elderly population.
The culprits involved are an adult and a juvenile who exploited victims by calling them regarding the problems associated with their accounts. They asked the victims to give their sixteen-digit bank card numbers and put their cards in an envelope to be collected by a Card Stop officer. Unfortunately, the two elderly victims handed out the money and checks as requested by the suspects, and the latter collected the envelopes a few hours later.
Londerzeel police detained two Dutchmen who posed as Card Stop workers and fleeced elderly people out of their banking details. The adult suspect was arrested by an investigating judge while the minor was taken to a youth facility. The police said that they had received two phishing reports regarding these fraudulent activities within one day. Upon interrogation with the victims, the investigators identified the suspects with a car that boasted a Dutch registration number. By using ANPR and proper cooperation with the police of Antwerp, authorities managed to trace the car and arrest the culprits. The adult suspect was arrested by an investigating judge while the minor was taken before a juvenile judge who ordered that he be confined to a youth institution. The police will continue their work on the search for other expresses and accomplices who may be involved in this criminal scam.
The rise of phishing scams and public awareness
This is an indication that the number of scammers who aim to provide identity details is on the increase, especially among the elderly. People’s confidence and intimidation are exploited by these hackers for personal data such as passwords and others through partaking as banks and other financial institutions and so on. In the recent past, the police forces throughout the continent have enhanced the fight against such operations through public education crusades with the aim of enlightening the public on when and how such scams operate so that the public can report them.
Belgian authorities have identified a rise in similar incidents in which fraudsters mask their identity to represent legitimate organisations in a bid to compel unsuspecting victims to part with information or money. The Londerzeel case is a good lesson that residents should not trust any call or text message that will ask for personal data.
In response to such threats, local police departments use community mobilisation to encourage anyone who feels violated to report the incident. Also, financial institutions should enhance security stances and educate customers on possible scams. With awareness and a culture of reporting, these communities can hopefully limit the loss due to such fraud and prevent those at risk from being cheated out of their money by financial criminals.
