Let me share three different yet related cases. I have lately come across that I trust many shy away to share or even raise as a concern or complaint to the appropriate authorities due to probably feeling embarrassed and/or not having the necessary knowledge to do so.
One of my relatives who just returned from a vacation reported to me that he had paid for a visa application while commuting from one country to another, only to arrive at the border of the destination country and realize that his visa was invalid (or precisely unknown by the immigration office). What has actually happened? A friend of mine received a call from one of her social media account platform representatives asking her to share a four-digit message she received via an SMS (short messaging service). A few minutes later, she was not able to access her social media account. What has actually happened? Lastly, one of my associates received a link to download a video editing app directly (instead of going through the official mobile Play Store). Upon downloading, installing, and opening the app from the link received, my associate found that their phone was running very slowly, the battery was getting very hot, and the video editing app kept crashing. What has actually happened? All three individuals were scammed! Yes, three different cases but with the same motive from the mischief actor (who can be the same person or a team per se), who use various tactics to lure the victims (such as the relative, friend, and associate I illustrated above). The relative paid money for the visa but ended up not only not receiving the visa but also a few more withdrawals from his bank account were done on his behalf. The friend ended up losing her social media account and also respect for the messages the scammer sent to her network (again on her behalf). Lastly, the associate started receiving calls from his address book confirming whether he had received funds that he requested (which he hasn’t asked for, of course). This has happened to them, may happen to your close ones, and can happen to you unfortunately.
Scammers, for those who don’t know, are individuals that make money using illegal methods by tricking people. Some of these scammers do it physically (in person), while the majority use online mediums, be it websites, social media networks, and/or instant messaging platforms. Nearly 2.4 million frauds have been reported in 2022 in the United States, with consumers losing a total of $8.8 billion. In the United Kingdom, a total amount of £1.3 billion fraud was reported. In Australia, over $3.1 billion of scams were reported, and lastly, Canada reported about $530 million of fraud in 2022 itself. These figures are growing and highlight the significant financial impact of scams globally. The case is no different to Oman as well (for scamming works anywhere, especially when there is no continuous awareness of the same).
So how can one avoid being scammed? There is no easy answer, to be honest, because scammers continue to learn new ways and methods to lure new victims on a periodic basis. Technology continues to evolve, as do scammers, on the other hand. One needs to continue being vigilant and abreast in order to remain safe. Nevertheless, I would like to share four of the most viral scams that you need to know, share with your loved ones, and avoid in order to remain safe.
First and foremost, do not download applications sent directly via links and chats (e.g.,.apk files for Android phones). Only download reliable applications via sources such as Apple’s Playstore, Google’s Play, or Huawei’s app gallery. Secondly, do not expose your personal details (e.g., username credentials) to messages and/or calls you receive, even if someone claims to be from an authorized or official body. Authorities (e.g., a bank) will not call for such information. Third, avoid opening links or tapping on numbers sent via SMS. Lastly, do not share the OTP (one-time password) you receive with anyone, not even friends or family. By following these guidelines, you will avoid most of the viral scams in place today.
The Royal Oman Police (ROP) continues to issue warnings about fraudulent methods targeting individuals through social media applications, including WhatsApp, Snapchat, and Instagram. The ROP emphasizes the importance of staying vigilant and safeguarding personal and financial information. They urge everyone to report any suspicious activity or messages to the authorities promptly. The public can easily contact the Royal Oman Police hotline at 80077444 to report fraud or for any fraud-related queries.
Always remain cautious, verify sources, and avoid sharing personal information or making payments without verifying the links you receive or access. Better be safe than sorry. Until we catch up again next week, stay safe and be positive.
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