2023-10-18 10:05:00
It’s the big comeback of a seasonal scam. On Facebook, pages, groups and publications try to make you believe that it is possible to recover for a handful of euros a pallet filled to the brim with Amazon, Temu or even AliExpress packages.
Purpose of the maneuver: to secretly collect your banking data. Phishing experts are reactivating this track as a prelude to Black Friday (November 24, 2023) and the end-of-year holidays.
“On Amazon Belgium, there is real consumer enthusiasm for local brands”
Fake comments and fake photos
“Every year, many unclaimed packages accumulate at the post office,” proclaims one of these pages which survives without being detected by the radars of Meta (Facebook).
“According to the rules, Amazon can throw away these packages, but they are having a charity event and giving out random packages for only €1.95. You can easily get an iPhone, any kitchen appliance such as a vacuum cleaner, and other items. ”
These fraudulent Facebook pages try to convince you via photos to illustrate these pallets of packages and products waiting for buyers. ©Internet
To give credence to this assertion, (fake) profiles are posting enthusiastic and reassuring (fake) comments left and right, often accompanied by a photo:
“You won’t believe it!!!! I found this iphone 13pro on my palette, I still can’t believe it! This is the best offer for €1.95! ! ”“I was very afraid that they would sell defective goods in these pallets. But I decided to take a chance and buy a palette at this price. In the end, all the items are intact, without defects and work perfectly” The false comment is here associated with a misleading photo in order to persuade visitors to this fraudulent page that it is really possible to buy a pallet of Amazon packages for 1 €.95. ©Internet “Your Windows is blocked”: the fake Microsoft technician scam is making a comeback in Belgium
Your banking data at risk
To try to win one of these palettes for the payment of a few euros, you are asked to click on a web link. Dressed in the colors of the brand invoked, this (fake) site does everything possible to push you to encode sensitive data, such as your banking details.
In short, these pages which are returning in force from these first weeks of October 2023 strictly respect the codes of the phishing attempt:
The initial message raises the prospect of a reward to make you let your guard down. The message guides you to a dangerous web page administered by scammers who are sure to use your banking details for their own benefit. A vicious new scam targets itsme users: it combines email and phone call
How to react if you fall into the trap
What should you do if you still clicked on the link and provided sensitive data? Here is the official recommendations of Safeonweb.be.
Contact your bank and/or Card Stop on 078 170 170 if you have provided banking information, if money disappears from your bank account or if you have transferred money to a fraudster. In this way, possible fraudulent transactions can be blocked. From the moment you have lost money or are the victim of extortion, we advise you to make a report to the police. You can report it to the local police where you live.
20,000 phishing sites targeted in 2022
The fight once morest phishing is a constant battle for an online commerce giant like Amazon. According to this article from AFP Factual, “in total, Amazon claims to have taken actions in 2022 to close 20,000 phishing sites and terminate 10,000 telephone numbers used in identity theft schemes. ”
The biggest sales on the Belgian Amazon platform: here are the main trends
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