Fraud ring in Hesse: Police arrest SMS fraudsters!

Fraud ring in Hesse: Police arrest SMS fraudsters!

In Hanau and the Wetterau district, an SMS and telephone fraud ring that was active in at least 20 cases nationwide was dismantled. The police and public prosecutor's office were able to take a 23-year-old suspect into custody, while six other men are being investigated for commercial gang fraud and money laundering. This group has swindled tens of thousands of euros from unsuspecting victims, often in the five to six figure range, through the scam of so-called smishing - a form of SMS-based fraud.

The fraudsters' approach was perfidious: victims received SMS notifications asking them to update their bank details. Clicking on the link provided took them to a deceptively real-looking bank website where they were asked to enter their online banking access data. The perpetrators then used this data to access the victims’ accounts.

Dangerous stitches and precautions

The fraudsters' scams are varied and aim to gain people's trust. According to verbraucherzentrale.nrw, SMS messages that supposedly come from banks or the tax office are particularly common. Recipients of such messages should never click on links or call phone numbers contained in these messages. This is particularly true for text messages that threaten bailiffs or outstanding invoices.

The police investigation led to searches in ten apartments in Friedberg, Niddatal and Hanau. Not only evidence was seized, but also drugs and some dangerous items, such as brass knuckles and a throwing knife. A total of seven people were arrested, six of whom were later released.

The fraudsters also used social media to recruit so-called financial agents to help them process the stolen funds. These helpers are also being investigated for money laundering. The police strongly warn against making your own bank account available for a commission and emphasize the need to be particularly careful with suspicious messages.

Cybercrime in Germany

A representative dark field study by BSI shows that 24% of those surveyed in Germany have already been victims of cybercrime. More than half of those surveyed estimate that their risk of being affected again is low or impossible. However, this assessment could be misleading because cybercrime is constantly evolving and new types of fraud such as smishing and phishing are on the rise.

For younger users between 16 and 22 years old, this number is 28%. Many feel safe because they use protection measures such as antivirus programs or strong passwords. However, despite these precautions, the use of other security measures is decreasing. A rethink is required here in order to counteract the increasingly sophisticated methods of fraudsters.

Finally, it should be noted that in the digital world, vigilance is the be-all and end-all. Don't let yourself be lured into a trap by supposedly serious news and pay attention to who entrusts you with their bank details. Your finances are too valuable for such schemes.