In the last decade, the online environment has changed drastically around the world partially due to the pandemic and this means most people access varied services from banking to shopping through their mobile or other connected devices. As more and more people access online services, the scams are also increasing. The fraudsters are constantly changing their modus operandi to stay a step ahead of the gullible users.
Phishing scams are fraudulent attempts to obtain sensitive information, such as usernames, passwords, credit card details, and personal information, by posing as a trustworthy entity. Some of the attempts are so sophisticated that even experts in the field fall prey to them.
The implications of online scams can vary, but they often lead to financial loss, compromised personal information, emotional distress, and damage to one’s reputation. To protect yourself from online scams, it’s important to stay informed, be cautious of unsolicited requests for personal information or payments and verify the legitimacy of offers before taking any action.
Recent reports suggest that there are many phishing attempts in the region using scholarships and shopping promotions as bait to latch on the back-to-school frenzy. These scams are not limited to any specific geography as more and more people are using the internet to shop from global markets and travel for studies to various universities. Taking advantage of eager parents and students, these schemers come up with enticing catchwords and headlines to fleece unsuspecting victims of their money.
Another dark side of these online scams is the human right abuses perpetuated by these criminals. The Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, in a new report, claims that at least 120,000 people in strife-torn Myanmar and roughly 100,000 in Cambodia “may be held in situations where they are forced to carry out online scams.”
The report sheds new light on cybercrime scams with many of the workers trapped in virtual slavery and forced to target people over the internet.
With the advent of Artificial Intelligence and other technological advances, experts expect more sophisticated attacks using deep fake and other such programs.
There is no one-step solution to dodge this malice, but taking precautionary measures proposed by telecom providers, banks and other regulatory bodies will help to keep us safe against such attacks to a great extent. Digital literacy is the need of the hour, and everyone should update themselves about the latest practices.
Remember that staying vigilant and cautious is key to avoiding falling victim to phishing scams.
