Fake online tyre shops. CBZC arrests 21 people
Fraudsters are operating fake tyre sales websites, taking money without sending goods. The Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime has arrested 21 people in an operation against distributors of a counterfeit mObywatel application.
Fake shops and counterfeit application used for fraud
According to bankier.pl, criminals are massively launching fake online tyre shops, exploiting the seasonal increase in demand for tyre replacement. FinCERT.pl, the Banking Cybersecurity Centre of the Polish Bankers Association, warns that fake websites look professional and resemble pages of well-known sellers or operate under names that inspire confidence.
Fraudsters entice potential customers with low prices, fast delivery and additional services, including mobile tyre fitting. The buyer places an order and makes a bank transfer, and may receive an order confirmation or a pro forma invoice that documents the transaction. The money, however, goes to an account indicated by the criminals, and the goods never reach the customer.
The Polish Bankers Association recommends paying attention to the age of the shop's domain — a website launched a few days or weeks earlier should raise suspicion. Warning signals include a lack of credible reviews, comments published only recently, and payment exclusively through traditional bank transfer, particularly to an account belonging to an entity other than the shop owner.
At the same time, the Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime conducted an operation against people distributing a fake application resembling mObywatel. The script made available allowed the generation of a virtual identity document with false data. The operation involved 12 territorial management boards of CBZC, 27 searches were conducted and 21 people were arrested, including 13 minors.
Police officers secured over 30 devices: phones, laptops and computers. Minors purchased the fake programme, and some helped promote it on the internet, administer the website and pass the script to acquaintances. Three suspects were temporarily arrested, and two had police supervision imposed on them. The frauds are connected with charges of participation in an organised criminal group, unlawful distribution of computer programmes and document forgery.
Source: Google News PL — Crime (pl)