Seva
03-16-2017, 08:40 AM
Interpol in conjunction with the company Trend Micro estimated losses of Western companies from the actions of "Nigerian" Scam and came to the conclusion that in recent years, attackers have become skilled in the intricacies of BEC scams, and for three years has gotten more than $3 billion.
The meaning of BEC scams is sending the most likely-looking invoices and memos in which criminals deception persuaded the employees to transfer funds to bogus accounts. In addition, such letters can be infected by malware-keyloggers.
BEC-fraud becomes a major problem for companies: last year, the FBI reported losses of one billion dollars in the US alone. It is known that some of the victims lost at a time tens of millions of dollars, such as the Austrian company FACC, who lost more than $54 million
The report also indicated that the West African scammers improve their skills and are already able to pull off an elaborate and sophisticated operation. Interpol recognizes the high level of mastery of the technique of social engineering, which, combined with a wealth of malicious tools allow you to "Nigerians" to successfully implement their schemes.
The flourishing of online crime in West Africa can be explained by the presence of education and motive. Almost half of University graduates in the region during the year did not find jobs, and their attraction to the criminal world increases every month. Cybercrime has even become a religion in Ghana, where its adherents worship and offer sacrifices to the deity on behalf of Sakawa (Sakawa), which is intended to prevent the disclosure of fraudulent schemes and to provide a good fat.
The study also gave a detailed description of the two major groups of fraudsters in the region. The first is the report code-named Yahoo! Boys and adheres to traditional fraud schemes, which involve a Nigerian Prince or a lawyer. The scammer asks the victim assistance in transferring large sums of money, promising to give her the entire amount, except as specified in percent.
In addition, Yahoo! Boys engaged in fraud in the sphere of online novels, getting on Dating sites and subsequently requiring "lovers" of money for a ticket, you need to meet in real life. Usually scammers, consisting in the ranks of Yahoo! Boys, young (20 to 30 years), I love to boast of their wealth in social networks and operate in small groups. Although their methods are primitive, they still bring the attackers a considerable profit.
The other group is more dangerous — a "criminals of the next level," as they call the authors of the study. Unlike Yahoo! Boys, these scammers older and more discreet; they tend to use more sophisticated methods of doing BEC-fraud and anti-fraud tax refund. They are professionals who actively launder money through a network of mules, and recruit relatives in the countries where there are victims. These groups make billions.
According to Interpol, the operation to capture the "Nigerian Scam" is not always successful: even with a tip from Interpol, local police arrest only around 30% of criminals.
The meaning of BEC scams is sending the most likely-looking invoices and memos in which criminals deception persuaded the employees to transfer funds to bogus accounts. In addition, such letters can be infected by malware-keyloggers.
BEC-fraud becomes a major problem for companies: last year, the FBI reported losses of one billion dollars in the US alone. It is known that some of the victims lost at a time tens of millions of dollars, such as the Austrian company FACC, who lost more than $54 million
The report also indicated that the West African scammers improve their skills and are already able to pull off an elaborate and sophisticated operation. Interpol recognizes the high level of mastery of the technique of social engineering, which, combined with a wealth of malicious tools allow you to "Nigerians" to successfully implement their schemes.
The flourishing of online crime in West Africa can be explained by the presence of education and motive. Almost half of University graduates in the region during the year did not find jobs, and their attraction to the criminal world increases every month. Cybercrime has even become a religion in Ghana, where its adherents worship and offer sacrifices to the deity on behalf of Sakawa (Sakawa), which is intended to prevent the disclosure of fraudulent schemes and to provide a good fat.
The study also gave a detailed description of the two major groups of fraudsters in the region. The first is the report code-named Yahoo! Boys and adheres to traditional fraud schemes, which involve a Nigerian Prince or a lawyer. The scammer asks the victim assistance in transferring large sums of money, promising to give her the entire amount, except as specified in percent.
In addition, Yahoo! Boys engaged in fraud in the sphere of online novels, getting on Dating sites and subsequently requiring "lovers" of money for a ticket, you need to meet in real life. Usually scammers, consisting in the ranks of Yahoo! Boys, young (20 to 30 years), I love to boast of their wealth in social networks and operate in small groups. Although their methods are primitive, they still bring the attackers a considerable profit.
The other group is more dangerous — a "criminals of the next level," as they call the authors of the study. Unlike Yahoo! Boys, these scammers older and more discreet; they tend to use more sophisticated methods of doing BEC-fraud and anti-fraud tax refund. They are professionals who actively launder money through a network of mules, and recruit relatives in the countries where there are victims. These groups make billions.
According to Interpol, the operation to capture the "Nigerian Scam" is not always successful: even with a tip from Interpol, local police arrest only around 30% of criminals.