Establishing new human relationships through the different internet platforms is a behavior that has become normalized throughout the world. Such is the progress of this new form of relationship that only in Colombia, according to the Centro Nacional de Consultoría, In his study "Perceptions and uses of the Internet", 47% of Colombians have used a dating application; Of this number, more than 80% have arranged to meet in person.
But what for many is an advantage offered by the digital world, for others it becomes an opportunity to take advantage of the bond of trust and closeness achieved to defraud those who in a well-intentioned way decide to start a new friendship or even a romantic relationship, through the applications designed for this purpose. Understanding this growing phenomenon that puts people's security and financial stability at risk, in 'Where are we going?', the Scotiabank Colpatria podcast, in the company of the authorities, discussed the emotional scam modality, in addition to the recommendations to protect yourself from those who lurk in the different social networks with the aim of seducing for criminal purposes.
In this regard, the head of the Cybernetic Center of the Colombian National Police, Major Adrián Emid Vega Hernández, highlighted that, in relation to emotional scams, in 2023 his office has registered 16 cases of people who have commented on their stories and all the difficulties they go through in these types of relationships. "The complainants explain the criminal modality, how they were approached, how they used their personal data, how the criminal overcame the security protocols and came up with such real stories that led them to provide information and ultimately to bend their will, in favor of to get money," he says. The officer, an expert in the dismantling of cybercrime structures, stressed that the people most exposed to emotional scams are those who maintain a greater number of interactions on social networks. “All the criminal and fraudster are looking for is first some ambition, but also some need. Under these two values is that they can lead people to scams and in these emotional scams there is also the need to take advantage of a lonely person who wants to meet other people, who wants to establish a friendship and a formal relationship. The complete conversation, moderated by María Mercedes Ruiz, and in which important recommendations are also given to avoid being a victim of emotional scammers, can already be heard on the podcast 'Where are we going?', which is available for free at the Bank's website, on Spotify, Apple Podcast, Spreaker, Google Podcast, Deezer, among other audio platforms.
According to a report by the Lookout firm, mobile platforms represent a significant percentage of phishing attacks in the region. Countries like Peru and Argentina are the most susceptible to attacks of this nature, since 60% and 58% of their users, respectively, found some type of phishing on their mobile devices. Then follow Colombia, Bahamas and Brazil, with 50%, 44% and 41%. Data from the Brazilian Federation of Banks (Febraban) shows that Brazil registered an 80% increase in attempted phishing attacks aimed at financial theft in 2021.
Article taken from semana.com
By: Semana