The Znojmo police have issued a warning following a case in which a woman lost almost half a million crowns to an internet investment scammer. The fifty-eight-year-old woman had opened an account with an investment company she found on the internet two years ago. Recently, a man called her and informed her that the company was no longer in business and that she needed to transfer her investment to another company. He advised her to open a virtual card, which she did, and then he installed a remote access program on her computer. The scammer was able to watch her actions and gain access to her account passwords. He then stole almost half a million crowns from her account and set up three loans totaling almost a million crowns.

The police spokesperson, Lenka Drahokoupilová, said that the woman’s actions violated all the advice that police and common sense recommend against. Despite the police warnings about similar risks and strong warnings against giving out access data, cybercrime fraudsters are still successfully scamming people out of their money.

This case is just one of many examples of internet scams that take advantage of people’s trust in online investment companies. Scammers are known to use a range of tactics to lure people into their traps, including fake websites, email phishing, and cold calling. These scams can result in significant financial losses, which can be difficult or impossible to recover.

To avoid falling victim to an internet scam, people should always be cautious and take steps to protect themselves. This includes never giving out personal or financial information to unknown individuals, verifying the authenticity of investment companies, and being wary of unsolicited phone calls or emails. It is also advisable to use strong passwords, avoid using public Wi-Fi networks, and keep antivirus software and other security measures up to date.

The police are urging people to report any suspicious activity and to seek help if they have fallen victim to an internet scam. They warn that the longer a person waits to report an incident, the more difficult it becomes to recover any lost funds or to catch the perpetrators. With the rise of internet scams, it is essential to remain vigilant and take all necessary precautions to protect oneself and one’s assets.

Article by Prague Forum