Google has issued a warning to users about increasing cyber fraud. Scammers are constantly adopting new methods to cheat people. Due to increasing digital penetration, it is becoming easier for scammers to defraud people. However, scammers adopt some common methods for this, which include social engineering, offers, freebies, etc. Most people fall into the trap of scammers and lose everything. Google has recently told about the 5 most recent online scam trends, which have been prepared by Google's Trust and Safety Team. The tech company has warned people about these recent online scam trends and advised them to be cautious.

Deepfakes

Cases of fraud through deepfakes are coming to the fore these days. Hackers use generative AI to create realistic public figures that look absolutely real. After this, they offer fake investments, giveaways, etc. to people. Not only this, people are lured through messages, e-mails, etc., so that they can easily fall into their trap. 

Google has said in its warning that such scams are quite complex, in which scammers commit many types of fraud in a single campaign. To avoid such frauds, look at the unrealistic expressions of the public figure in any AI-generated video and also pay attention to the promotion. If you find something strange, be alert.

Crypto Investment Scams

Google said that big frauds are being done in the name of cryptocurrency these days. Cryptocurrency is a highly valuable digital asset, due to which people get trapped in the greed of better returns and get defrauded. To avoid such frauds, avoid any investment with unrealistic returns.

Fake apps

Cybercriminals are also committing fraud these days by making users download fake apps. Users are being made to download fake apps of some big brands by cloning the landing page. Users accidentally upload their personal information on fake apps, which reaches the hackers. Not only this, hackers steal the bank details of users by installing fake apps on their phones. To avoid this, users should not download any third-party app on their phone. Also, unknown URLs or links should not be opened.

Landing Page Cloaking

Google said that scammers use cloaking technology to direct users to fake websites in the system. In this way, by changing the landing page, their information is stolen and fraud is carried out. For example, the user is redirected to a fake e-commerce website and as soon as the credit or debit card details are entered to buy any product, they are stolen. To avoid such fraud, users have to pay attention to the URL of the website. If the URL is secure, it will start with https.

The benefits of big events

Cybercriminals are also defrauding people by taking advantage of big events and natural disasters. Fake charities are promoted in the name of natural disasters and elections etc. and people are defrauded.