Police Warn of Black Friday Scams

Alert on the Twelve Most Common Cyberfrauds: “They Can Empty Your Bank Account”

The National Police has issued a warning about the twelve most frequent cyberfrauds through a micropodcast campaign, timed with the Black Friday discount week and the upcoming holiday season. Among the scams highlighted is the well‑known “skimming” – a fraud in online purchases with bank cards that can “empty your bank account.”

“There is a scam for every age group,” the officials of the Electronic Commerce Fraud Section of the Central Cybercrime Unit told Europa Press. The unit celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2025.

Police officials recommend:

• Using trusted merchants and websites with encryption certificates.
• Avoiding bank transfers; prefer prepaid or credit cards for payments.

“Always be wary if you are asked for personal documents or online access passwords; also be cautious when urged to make an online purchase urgently,” the Central Cybercrime Unit reminded.

MICROPODCAST CAMPAIGN

In this context, the National Police has launched an online‑scam prevention campaign. Agents from the Central Cybercrime Unit explain, in plain language, the main cyber‑frauds they have detected.

• The short‑format audio (about one minute) will be available through the Police’s official social‑media channels—WhatsApp, X, Facebook—and podcast platforms.
• Citizens can download or listen to the audio for quick tips on avoiding the scams most used by cybercriminals.

The scams and advice covered include:

• Invoice‑change scam
• Payroll‑change scam
• “Likes” scam
• Romance scam
• “Son in trouble” scam

Skimming Micropodcast

The first micropodcast focuses on skimming. Cyber‑fraudsters send potential victims a text message, often posing as a parcel‑delivery company. They claim that delivery of the victim’s order has failed and that the recipient must click a web link to confirm and finalize the delivery.

When the link is opened, the user is taken to a website that looks almost identical to the legitimate delivery service. The site prompts the victim to enter personal and banking details to receive the package, allowing the fraudsters to steal all the information.

“Likes” Scam

Another emerging method is the “Likes” scam, where fraudsters promise easy money for giving “likes” or commenting on posts. They later convince the victim to invest money with the promise of higher returns, ultimately defrauding them.