In a concerning surge of online scams, 43 individuals were duped out of at least $1.2 million in September, lured by fraudulent travel package promotions on popular social media platforms.
Bogus Travel Deals Lure Victims
Advertisements promising enticing travel deals, including cruises, concert tours, and even durian tours, caught the attention of unsuspecting victims on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. These ads, as revealed by the police in a recent release, were nothing more than bait set by scammers.
The Deceptive Trap
Once interested individuals showed interest in these travel deals, scammers would initiate contact through Whatsapp. Victims were then instructed to download an Android Package Kit file, a third-party app installation file, either directly through Whatsapp or via malicious links. This was presented as a necessary step to process booking fees.
However, the downloaded file was laced with malware. Once installed, the app would prompt victims to grant it access to various services. This, unbeknownst to the victims, allowed scammers to remotely access their devices, stealing crucial banking credentials and passwords.
To further their deceit, scammers would either direct victims to a counterfeit banking website within the app or instruct them to make payments via PayNow or bank transfers. It was only after these steps that victims would notice unauthorized transactions draining their bank accounts.
A Call for Vigilance
This alarming rise in travel package scams underscores the importance of online vigilance. Users are urged to be cautious when encountering seemingly too-good-to-be-true deals on social media platforms. It’s essential to verify the legitimacy of offers, especially when asked to download unfamiliar files or grant app permissions. As the digital landscape continues to evolve, staying informed and cautious can be the best defense against such malicious schemes.
Also learn about Singpass Account Sold for S$8,000 Used in S$220,000 Scam Laundering Scheme in our previous article.
