The Kaufland method is on the Internet. Internet users are losing their accounts en masse

It starts inconspicuously. We receive a message on Messenger and it all ends with data extortion and bank account deletion. Fraudsters take over Facebook accounts and take advantage of the alleged competition of the Kaufland store. Here’s what the whole mechanism is and what to do to avoid falling for it.

Residents fall victim to fraudsters operating the so-called the Kaufland method.

This is nothing more than a version of a “contest” scam, in which criminals use a repeating pattern of action and take advantage of the trust between friends. The targeted person receives a message via Messenger from a friend, asking for their phone number. It is allegedly needed to participate in the Kaufland competition. In fact, the message comes from an account taken over by fraudsters. In fact, our friend has nothing to do with her.

After we provide our number, we receive an SMS on it. The scammer asks you to send it to Messenger “to confirm your participation.” In fact, it is a login code that allows criminals to take over your account.

But that’s not the end. After taking over the account in this way, the fraudsters ask other friends to do the same. In this way, the fraud spreads very quickly, reaching wider and wider circles. Then, fraudsters use the hijacked accounts in any way they want, most often asking for financial help and sending a BLIK code. The excuses may be different, but all equally urgent – from a car breakdown to not having a payment card when shopping.

The police advise how to avoid unpleasant financial consequences:

• Do not provide your phone number in response to “competitions” sent on Messenger.
• Do not send SMS codes – these are login or authorization codes.
• Do not share BLIK codes via instant messengers, verify by phone people requesting a transfer in this way.