ADVANCE FEE CYBER FRAUD ALERT

Advance fee fraud occurs when fraudsters get victims to make upfront payments for goods, services, and/or financial gains that do not materialize. These schemes may involve the sale of products or services, job offers, investments, lottery winnings, ticket scams, unclaimed money, and delivery of items.

Initial Contact: Scammers reach out to their targets through unsolicited messages via email, social media, or phone calls.

?Gain Trust: The scammers then invest time and effort to build trust and establish a bond with the target. They may pretend to be wealthy business people, representatives of a reputable company, a government agency, or even long-lost relatives.

Modus Operandi

? Promise of Rewards: Victims are then enticed with offers such as expensive phones and laptops or promises of substantial financial rewards such as a share in a large inheritance, business venture, or substantial lottery prize.

? Request for Upfront Payment: The scammers or their accomplices will then request the victim to make an upfront payment or provide personal information to facilitate the release of the promised reward. These payments may be disguised as delivery charges, processing fees, legal fees, customs duties, or administrative charges.

Recommendations

? Be cautious of unsolicited communications, especially from unknown individuals/sources.

? Never make upfront payments without credible guarantees or assurances. Be suspicious of any promise of financial gains, gifts, or lucrative opportunities.

? Conduct extensive background checks to verify the credentials and legitimacy of individuals or organizations before engaging in any financial transaction.

? Do not share sensitive personal and financial information with someone you have only met online. Threat actors can use such information for identity theft or financial fraud.