Navigating the Hazards of Cyber Space: Unraveling the Menace of Emerging Video Call Scams in Gulf ????

In an era dominated by #digital connections, a sinister player has entered the #cyber stage, manipulating by making video calls to a victim for face-to-face authenticity. Remember that feeling of dread when your phone buzzes with an unexpected #video call? Well, scammers are now exploiting that very feeling with a cunning new trick - video call phishing.

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The rise of video call scams in the region is a reminder that even the most intimate interactions can be exploited for nefarious purposes. It is essential to understand this unsettling trend, equip ourselves with knowledge, and fortify our defenses against this emerging cyber threat. ?????

• Real SCAM Call: Example 1 (click to view)

• Real SCAM Call: Example 2 (click to view)

• Real SCAM Call: Example 3 (click to view)

Methodology

Here is how it works:

1. You receive a video call from a seemingly legitimate source, like an authority, your bank, tech support, or even a delivery company.
2. The caller, often using deepfake technology or even attempting to mimic a real person or authority, appears professional and convincing. They then launch into a cliche story about needing your personal information to "verify your identity" or "resolve an urgent issue."

Approach

In the emerging attempt at cyber deception, scammers orchestrate this type of social engineering attack by playing on emotions like fear, urgency, and trust. By creating a believable scenario, they can pressure the victim into sharing the information before they have time to think:

• Leveraging Trust:Scammers exploit the trust-building nature of video calls to establish a false sense of authenticity or security. Victims are more likely to let their guard down when faced with what appears to be a genuine, face-to-face interaction.
• Creating Urgency:The immediacy of video calls adds an urgency factor. Scammers concoct scenarios that demand immediate action, catching victims off guard and prompting them to act hastily without due diligence.
• Mimicking Authority:Impersonation is at the heart of this scam. Scammers often pose as authoritative figures – from bank representatives to government officials – capitalizing on the credibility associated with these roles. Even if the victim might feel suspicious, upon seeing what seems to be personnel from the authority, they may lower down defenses in the ambiguity of whether the caller is legit.

How to Defend yourself?

A combination of these few things can help you prevent related cyber frauds:

1. Trust Your Gut, Hang Up Fast: If something feels off, it probably is. Do not be afraid to end the call abruptly. It's better to be safe than sorry!
2. Never Share Personal Information Over Video Calls: No matter how convincing the situation is, authorities and legitimate companies will never request sensitive data through unsolicited video calls. Period!
3. Treat Links and Attachments with Suspicious: Clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments sent during these calls or even generally, is like inviting malware into your digital home. Avoid them at all costs!
4. Enhance Security with Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Elevate your defenses by activating multi-factor authentication across all your accounts. This extra layer of security acts as a formidable deterrent against unauthorized access.
5. Verify, Verify, Verify: Don't trust appearances! Use reverse phone number lookup services to confirm the caller's identity.
6. Stay Informed: Regularly update your knowledge about the latest phishing tactics and cyber threats. Share this information with your loved ones to build a collective defense.
7. Be Wary of Public Wi-Fi: Avoid sharing sensitive information on public Wi-Fi networks, as they can be compromised easily.
8. Report immediately: Notify the authorities (like the Bank, Police, Cybercrime Complaint Center, etc) about the scam. This helps track down criminals and protect others.

CITRA Kuwait , Kuwait College of Science and Technology, National Crime Agency (NCA) , Cyber Security Council , National CERT – Pakistan , ?????? ??????? ????? ????????? , UAE Cyber Security Council , National Bank of Kuwait

CISO Forum Global , CS Alliances (Cyber Security Alliances) , Cyber Security Forum Initiative

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