Interpol warns of coronavirus-related scams

(Patria) – The international law enforcement agency Interpol warns of fraudsters who are "exploiting the state of fear and uncertainty" caused by the coronavirus pandemic to extract money.

Interpol has uncovered several examples of scams that have already occurred in some countries as they battle the COVID-19 epidemic.

Most scam victims have been registered in Asia, and the agency has intervened in over 30 cases related to the coronavirus with links in Asia and Europe, where one victim lost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Some of the scams involved the victim receiving a phone call from alleged medical officials with false information about an ill relative, requesting financial assistance.

Some scam victims received emails from fake medical representatives or companies with similar websites or email addresses, writes Euronews.

The British government warned the public last week that victims of coronavirus-related scams lost around 1 million euros in February alone. Some of them were buying protective masks online. Interpol warns citizens to check if it is a legitimate company with a reputation so as not to lose money.

How to protect yourself from coronavirus-related scams:

- Do not open suspicious emails or attachments

- Do not disclose any personal or financial details via messages or phone calls with strangers

- Check the legitimacy of websites and email addresses (domain)

- If paying online, pay attention if you are asked to pay in a different country than where the company is located

- If you suspect you are a victim of a scam, notify your bank to stop the payment

- Do not give in to pressure to disclose any information; cybercriminals use emergencies like the coronavirus epidemic to persuade people into hasty decisions.