Lokeren (The Brussels Morning Newspaper): CD&V leader warns Lokeren residents about “spoofing” scams using his identity. Cybercriminals target local politicians to spread disinformation. Report fake emails to police to aid investigation.
Filip Liebaut, the leader of the CD&V party from Lokeren, has warned people about a growing problem called “spoofing.” Spoofing is when someone uses another person’s identity to trick others. In this case, Liebaut’s name was used to send fake emails to local residents. He found out that these emails, which looked like they were from him, were connected to a Russian online service.
How can residents combat spoofing scams in Lokeren?
Liebaut says that the criminals behind this are from other countries and are specifically trying to target local politicians to create confusion and distrust in the community. He stresses that this is a serious issue because these scams can mislead people and might lead to harm or financial loss. In response to this cybercrime, Liebaut is asking residents to report any fake emails they receive to the police right away. By sending these emails to law enforcement, residents can help with the investigation, allowing the authorities to find out where the scam is coming from and stop more incidents. Liebaut’s message emphasizes how important it is for the public and the police to work together to deal with these scams.
Mathieu Verschraege from Mediavista explains that spoofing is a trick used by cybercriminals to change the sender’s email address, making it look like the email is from someone trustworthy. This deception can lead people to click on harmful links, share personal information, or unknowingly spread false information. Spoofing is especially common during election periods, where cybercriminals impersonate politicians and public figures to spread misleading information, creating confusion and distrust among the public. This can undermine the fairness of elections and influence how people vote. Mediavista emphasizes the importance of being aware and cautious during these times, as such disinformation campaigns can significantly impact society.
“It can be compared to criminals who reprint an envelope from a letter and use a false address”
(Mathieu Verschraege from Mediavista)
Verschraege says that spoofing is not just about spreading false information, it’s also used a lot in phishing scams. Sometimes, even emails that look like they’re from the Flemish government or police are fake. Many different groups use this trick. The best way to stay safe is to check if the email matches who it’s from. If something seems weird, report it to the police. Also, don’t click on any links in emails that look suspicious.
