Antwerp (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Antwerp police issue a fraud warning urging the public not to scan random QR codes found on streets, as scammers use them to steal personal information.
The paper contains QR codes that provide access to a virtual currency wallet, sometimes known as a bitcoin wallet.
“It seems like you are on a website where you can make a profit, but you can lose your data and your money,”
says the police.
“In recent weeks, there have been several reports of people who found a fake bitcoin wallet on the street,”
says Kim Bastiaens of the Antwerp police.
“It looks like an attractive piece of paper, often neatly wrapped in plastic, and such a QR code makes people curious. That’s what the scammers count on.”
Kim Bastiaens, Antwerp, Belgium, Police Zone said that you are redirected to a website where you can lose your data and your money.
The code takes you to a website that looks like a real bitcoin website, where you can potentially make a profit. But in fact you are redirected to a fake website where you can lose your data and unfortunately also your money.
The police advise you to destroy the paper if you find it.
“If you do become a victim of fraud, it is best to come and file a report,”
Bastiaens emphasizes.
What risks are associated with scanning unknown QR codes?
Users may be sent via QR codes to dangerous or fraudulent websites that aim to steal sensitive data, including financial information and login credentials. These phishing websites frequently imitate trustworthy ones in an attempt to fool users into sending sensitive data.
After being scanned, certain QR codes cause devices to automatically download malware or ransomware, jeopardizing security and perhaps giving hackers the ability to track activity, steal data, or take over the device.
Malicious QR codes can be scanned to reveal private information saved on the smartphone, such as contacts, location data, browser history, and device metadata. This data can be gathered by attackers for malicious intent.
In public spaces (such as menus and posters), cybercriminals may overlay fake QR codes over authentic ones in order to unknowingly steer people to dangerous content.
