Physical phishing increases in police region south – 31 completed crimes in three weeks
The number of reported cases of physical phishing has risen sharply in police region south during August. Fraudsters claim to be from the police or bank and visit victims at home.
Fraudsters knock on the door – physical phishing rises in southern Sweden
Physical phishing – where fraudsters make initial telephone contact and then visit the victim at home – has increased markedly in police region south during late summer, reports SVT Nyheter.
Over three weeks in August, a total of 31 completed crimes were reported in which perpetrators succeeded in obtaining jewellery, cash and bank cards with accompanying codes, among other items.
The figures show a clear upward trend week by week. In week 31, eleven cases were reported, of which six were completed and five were attempted. In week 32, the number rose to 16 reports – eleven completed and five attempted. In week 33, 20 cases were reported, of which 14 were completed and six were attempted.
– Physical phishing is a form of criminality that we see over time goes up and down from week to week or month to month, says Tomas Nilsson, assistant head of the fraud section in police region south.
How the crime works
The fraudsters initially make contact by telephone and claim to represent, for example, the police, a bank or an electronics chain. When the victim then opens the door, the person recognises the situation from the call and perceives the visit as legitimate.
– They want to build trust and then mislead. When they knock on the door, the person recognises that someone has called and believes everything is in order. But they want to trick you into handing over jewellery, cash or your bank card with code, says Tomas Nilsson.
Police advice: pause and think
The police urge the public not to be stressed by unexpected visits from unknown persons claiming to represent authorities or companies. The basic advice is summarised by Nilsson as pausing and thinking carefully before opening the door or handing over valuables or card details.
At the slightest doubt, the police recommend calling back the organisation the person claims to be from – using an official number, not a number the visitor provides themselves.
Source: SVT Nyheter