Here are some ways to block fake accounts
Release Date – 12:45 AM, Tue – 20 December 22
Impersonation attacks occur when a digital adversary fraudulently masquerades as a trusted partner of the target, usually a friend, colleague, or executive leader of the target company.
Impersonation is where users create social media accounts that mimic legitimate accounts.
Imposters are those who impersonate someone’s popular figure (i.e. politician, movie star, activist, entrepreneur, etc.) or an official representative of a popular brand or company.
Such copycats exist on all online social platforms widely used by celebrities, influencers, businesses and public figures. While many impostors may be harmless, there are still nasty fake accounts that focus on slander or demand donations/seek loans/extort money as soon as they connect.
An impostor is a well-organized, targeted scheme and method to produce pre-planned, untrustworthy content to abuse or generate false negative engagement.
For example, fraudulent schemes in which phone scammers impersonate NCB and other drug law enforcement officials to steal identifiable or sensitive information from victims or other healthcare providers. These calls will be made to online users, especially those with a weekend party culture.
Scammers use false names, fake badges, names of well-known narcotics officers, or former department officers.
Copycats are often looking to discuss (a) medical issues (b) divorce (c) new job (d) party knowledge (e) gaming (f) want to buy (f) lifestyle knowledge (g) technology knowledge (h) travel and (i) Sports.
characteristics of a copycat
Urgent tone: Attackers need their victims to act quickly.
Unusual Requests: Get emails for verification to collect money.
Emphasis on confidentiality: Scammers often use words like “private,” “confidential,” and “secret” to keep you from revealing what you’re talking to other people.
Incorrect Email Address: Most of the time, scammers use email spoofs or similar emails to get into your inbox.
Recent Impersonation Attacks
First, fraudsters create fake accounts online using stolen, compromised high-level official accounts. They also create digital profiles (DPs) with images of law enforcement officers or high-ranking bureaucrats.
The scammers then send WhatsApp messages to their targets impersonating that law enforcement officer or bureaucrat.
They target weekend party savvy individuals and all data is collected from social media portals.
The scammer’s story may vary slightly, but in general, they will tell you that they seized a package containing prohibited drugs. Express delivery in the name of the victim, or they set up information related to the seized courier containing illegal drugs, and threaten the victim that the victim will be arrested for drug trafficking and money laundering.
If victims do not respond properly to their emails and WhatsApp conversations, scammers start threatening them by sending fake notifications, pretending to be law enforcement and investigative agencies, to arrest them for non-payment. They demanded payment without the opportunity to appeal the amount they said the victim owed.
As part of the racketeering, fake officials offer the above reasons to get the victim to transfer money to them as payment or to prove the victim’s willingness to cooperate, they will instruct the victim to use UPI to transfer money.
don’t fall into the trap
Use unique, complex passwords (using special and alphanumeric characters).
Enable (2FA) two-factor authentication.
Use the lock/guard feature on configuration files.
Configure privacy settings for your social media platforms to control information sharing.
Do not excessively share sensitive and personal information on social platforms.
Avoid clicking suspicious links, use https://isitphishing.org/ to verify links
Only connect with people you know and trust in real life.
All offline and online consents should be treated in the same way
Block access to GPS/location on social media platforms
Make it a habit to check the full email subject line before replying, especially if you have a financial transaction request.
Report impersonation on social media portals
• Instagram: https://help.instagram.com/370054663112398
• YouTube: https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2801947?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/help/contact/169486816475808
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/help/linkedin/answer/61664/reporting-fake-profiles?lang=en
Report impersonation on the cybercrime portal
Impersonation is a criminal act that involves impersonating one’s identity in order to defame/fraud/extort money/pretend to be a representative of a person or organization. As mentioned in this article, try to report directly to social platforms, if the situation is serious, you should complain on the National Cybercrime Portal – https://www.cybercrime.gov.in
