Tag: Crime

Public warned to watch out for job ad scams as fraudsters capitalise on Covid-19 disruption

The Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB) is warning members of the public to watch out for insurance scams that continue to exploit the financial loss people are facing as a result of the disruption of Covid-19.

Currently at least one insurance scam takes place each minute in the UK leaving victims devastated and costing honest consumers more than £3 billion each year. There are concerns the current economic climate could see this figure rise further.

The IFB which is at the heart of the UK’s fight against organised insurance fraud has identified several scams that the public should be aware of.

Delivery driver job ad scams

IFB Investigators have noticed more fraudsters are exploiting the state of the job market by using recruitment as a tool to phish for personal information and insurance details from job applicants.

Most notably, this has been seen with bogus delivery driver roles which are frequently being advertised on social media and some classified ad websites.

Job seekers will be told that their application has been successful and then asked to hand over their details, leaving them with their identities stolen and their insurance policy being used to help facilitate ‘Crash for Cash’ scams – often used to fabricate road traffic collisions.

With more people out of work due to the disruption of Covid-19 and a surge in demand for delivery services, job applicants should be extra cautious of any suspicious looking job ads.

Compensation scams

This is when a fraudster or unscrupulous firm contacts someone out of the blue to tell them they may be entitled to compensation.

If convinced, victims will hand over their personal details which can be used to steal their identity or bank funds, or they could be encouraged to take out a fraudulent insurance claim.

With record numbers out of work or losing money due to the disruption of Covid-19, these scammers may offer to recover financial losses incurred as a result of the pandemic.

‘Ghost Broker’ scams

A ‘Ghost Broker’ is a fraudster who poses as an insurance provider to sell unrealistically cheap fraudulent insurance deals, typically through social media and online ads.

These fraudsters are known for selling fake car insurance. However, with Covid-19 impacting so many people’s work and travel plans, ‘Ghost Brokers’ could also offer deals that claim to compensate further disruption.

Some ‘Ghost Broker’ fraudsters have also been found to be promoting deals that are exclusively for Key Workers.

‘Ghost Broker’ scams are rising. The IFB has seen its percentage of investigations into the issue double in recent years. Research also shows one in three 18-24 year-olds has seen a suspicious insurance advert on social media.

Ben Fletcher, Director of the IFB, said: “Insurance fraud thrives in times of financial hardship and the continued disruption of Covid-19 sadly keeps bringing opportunities for fraudsters to target those most vulnerable. From the elderly to key workers, we’ve seen them get targeted.

“It’s never been more important for the public to remain vigilant to the slew of scams out there. If anyone sees something that doesn’t look right, they should report it to the IFB’s confidential Cheatline straight away on 0800 422 0421.”

Evidence of an insurance scam can be reported to the IFB’s confidential and anonymous Cheatline (powered by Crimestoppers) on 0800 422 0421 or online.

The IFB uses information from Cheatline reports to work with insurers, the police and industry watchdogs to help fight fraud, keep people safe and keep consumer costs down.

More information on a wide range of common insurance scams can be found on the IFB’s Stop the Scams campaign page.

Cheatline insurance fraud video (17 seconds)

Ghost Broking insurance fraud video (34 seconds)

Compensation scams video (39 seconds)

About the IFB and impact of insurance fraud

Swanston Golf Club fire: witness appeal

Police are appealing for information after a fire at an Edinburgh golf club.

The fire was initially reported to emergency services around 11.45pm on Wednesday, 30 December at Swanston Golf Club in the city and is believed to have started a short time earlier.

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service attended and extinguished the fire. No-one was injured but significant damage was caused to the driving range facilities at the club along with a mobile maintenance workshop.

The fire is believed to have been started deliberately and officers are appealing for information, particularly in relation to three male youths seen in the area around the time of the fire.

They are described as being between 14-18-years-old and all wearing puffer style jackets.

One of them was described as being around 5ft 6in to 5ft 10in tall and of slim build with short dark hair. He was wearing a waist length ribbed puffer jacket with a hooded top underneath with the hood pulled up, light coloured tracksuit trousers and dark trainers.

Detective Constable Ewan Bates of Corstorphine CID said: “This fire has caused considerable damage to the facilities at the golf club and will mean disruption to the services they can provide for some time.

“We would urge anyone who may have seen anyone in the area of the golf club between around 10pm to midnight on Thursday, 30 December to let us know as soon as possible.

“We would urge anyone who may have dashcam footage or private CCTV to review this and pass on anything which may be of use to us.

“You can pass information to Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident 0078 of 31 December, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

CCTV appeal following Drylaw housebreaking

Police Scotland has released images of a man and woman they believe may be able to assist with an ongoing investigation which relates to a housebreaking that occurred between 23 and 24 November 202 in the Drylaw area.

Officers believe that the man and woman shown in the images may be able to assist with their enquiries.

Detective Constable James Palmer said: “I would appeal to anyone who has any information or who recognises the people in the image to contact us. Any small piece of information could assist us in our enquiries.”

“If anyone recognises the people in the images or has any information regarding the incident, please contact officers at the Community Investigation Unit in Corstorphine via 101, quoting incident number 0099 of the 24th November 2020.

Alternatively, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111, where anonymity can be maintained.”

Stolen motorbikes: Police appeal for information

Police Scotland is appealing for information after two motorbikes were stolen from Houston Industrial Estate in Livingston.

The bikes were stolen during break-ins to business units in Muir Place between 6pm and 6.30pm on Wednesday, 30 December, 2020.

Detective Constable Sam Plastow of Livingston CID said : “Two KTM 450 SX-F motorbikes were stolen worth a five figure sum. One motorbike is orange and grey with the lettering ‘LAURIS’ on the front and side. The second motorbike is orange with ‘METAL MULISHA’ and ‘ROCKSTAR ENERGY’ stickers on the front and side.

“It is believed that a white van may have been used to carry one of the motorbikes away from the business units and the other being pushed away.  

“Enquiries into this incident are currently ongoing. However, if anyone was in the area around the time of this incident and saw anything that may assist this investigation we are keen for them to get in contact as soon as possible.

“I would also urge anyone who has seen motorbikes matching the description or has noticed them being advertised for sale, or has any information about the location of the bikes to make us aware.

“Police Scotland can be contacted on 101 quoting incident 2772 of Wednesday, 30 December 2020, or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”

Gabrielle Friel found guilty of weapons haul terrorism charge

Twenty-two year old Gabrielle Friel been found guilty under the Terrorism Act of possessing weapons including a crossbow, crossbow arrows and a machete.

He wss found guilty by a majority verdict.

However, Friel was cleared of another charge alleging he wanted to carry out a “spree killing”. The jury at the High Court in Edinburgh found the charge that he was motivated by incel (involuntary celibate) ideology not proven.

Assistant Chief Constable Patrick Campbell, of Police Scotland, welcomed the verdict. He described Friel as a “dangerous, socially isolated and disaffected individual” and said the consequences of his actions could have been “catastrophic”.

ACC Campbell, Police Scotland’s Assistant Chief Constable for Organised Crime, Counter Terrorism and Intelligence, said: “Gabrielle Friel is a potentially dangerous and disaffected individual and Police Scotland welcomes the outcome of this case as the consequences of his actions could have been catastrophic.

“I sincerely thank the health and social care professionals and the Police Scotland officers involved in what was an extremely complex and challenging investigation. Their actions contributed to an early intervention and, undoubtedly prevented him undertaking an act that threatened the safety of our communities.

“This was an unprecedented case and the charges libelled by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service underlines the severity of Friel’s intentions.

“Police Scotland remains absolutely committed and focussed on protecting our citizens and working closely with partners to achieve this by delivering the multi-agency Prevent Strategy.

“We can’t do this alone and we also need the help of families, friends and the wider public.

“I know it can be a big step, particularly when we are referring to terrorism. But if you think that a family member or a friend is being radicalised, displaying extremist views or becoming involved in terrorist activity you should contact Police Scotland. Officers will work alongside other public protection partners to safeguard that individual and the public.

“By working together effectively, we will also help to safeguard individuals who have been identified as being vulnerable to radicalisation or being drawn into extremism.

“Anyone who has concerns should contact Police Scotland or the confidential anti-terrorist hotline 0800 789 321. There is helpful and confidential advice available at the ACT Early Counter Terrorism Policing website.”

During the trial Gabrielle Friel admitted he was ‘addicted’ to the topic of mass killing but denied wanting to cause such an event himself.

Mr Friel, giving evidence in his own defence at the High Court, said he became interested in mass shootings when in high school, where he was badly bullied, adding: “I can’t seem to get out from it. It’s like an addiction, basically.”

Mr Friel said he wanted to draw attention to himself but denied intending to carry out an actual attack.

“If only I can show the whole world how I feel, my pain. I would do this kind of stuff but I wouldn’t do it in real life,” he said.

Mr Friel said he bought weapons including a crossbow, bolts and a machete, as well as body armour, in summer 2019 as he wanted to provoke police to shoot him.

He denied the plan was connected to any ideology. “I can’t handle these violent fantasies in my mind. My life sucks basically. I was really depressed,” he told the court – but he denied he planned a mass killing spree.

Sextortion: what you can do

Police are aware of incidents of Sextortion in the Edinburgh area. They encourage anyone experiencing this to contact them:

Many people use webcams for business, gaming or to enhance their online chat experience but sometimes people you meet online aren’t always who they say they are.

Sextortion is a type of cyber-enabled extortion which involves the threat of sharing sexual information, images or clips to extort money from you, whether images actually exist or not.

The extortion often takes place when the unknown person (offender) persuades you (the victim) to remove your clothes in front of your webcam and/or perform sexual acts.

You believe this to be a private act – but it is not.  The offender, unbeknown to you (the victim) is recording everything that you do. 

Very soon afterwards the offender will threaten you. They may demand money and threaten to share the images or videos with your friends on social media, or share publicly.

What can YOU do to reduce the likelihood of it happening?

  • Be sensible when using the internet. Only activate your camera when you want to. Make sure it is ‘off’ at all times when not required. Never allow yourself to be duped into activity that you will later regret.
  • If using video chat apps, be alert to the fact that ‘contacts’ are not always who they say they are. If you allow a relationship to develop be guarded if unusual requests are made of you.
  • If you use online chat rooms looking for a person to chat with – be careful about any relationship that you form and in particular if you are asked to transfer to a different chat platform.
  • Some online chat rooms have a visual contact facility so if you are looking for a person to chat with and allow a relationship to form – be guarded on what you say and do.
  • Relationships are quick to develop. End any that you are not comfortable with – stay in control of what you do.
  • If you make a mistake, you have doubts or you need support or advice – contact the Police or a support agency immediately.

REMEMBER – what goes on the internet stays on the internet – forever.

What to do if you’re a victim of sextortion

  • Do NOT panic. You have already taken the first big step by recognising you are the ‘victim’ in this and that you may require support to help you through this difficult time. The Police will take your case seriously, will deal with it in confidence, and you will not be judged
  • Do NOT pay. Although some victims who have paid what the offenders have demanded and hear no more about it, many others who have paid have then continued to receive further and often increasing demands. In some cases, even when the demands have been met the offenders will still go on to post the videos or images anyway
  • Do NOT communicate further with the offenders. Obtain screen shots of any communication, preserve evidence. Make a note of all details provided by the offenders, for example; the Skype name (particularly the Skype ID), the Facebook URL; the Western Union or MoneyGram Money Transfer Control Number (MTCN); any photos/videos that were sent, etc. Be aware that the scammer’s Skype name is different to their Skype ID, and it’s the ID details that police will need. To get that, right click on their profile, select ‘View Profile’ and then look for the name shown in blue rather than the one above it in black. It’ll be next to the word ’Skype’ and will have no spaces in it.
  • Deactivate your social media account and use the online reporting process to report the matter to the platform to have any video blocked and to set up an alert in case the video resurfaces. Deactivating the Facebook account rather than shutting it down will ensure data is preserved and will assist law enforcement in obtaining evidence. The account can also be reactivated at any time ensuring online memories are not lost forever
  • Report the matter to the Police and your online service provider. If the blackmail is occurring through a social network, also alert the administrator.

Remember that you’re the victim of organised criminals – you’re not alone and confidential support is available. You can get through this.

Further help and support

If this has happened to you and you’re under 18 please talk to an adult that you trust. It may feel like there is no way out, but there are professionals who can help you. Whether you are a concerned Parent, a worried friend or a child or young person who has been affected by online sexual abuse you can report your concerns to CEOP.

If you have already reported your concern to your local statutory service, including children’s social services or the police, you do not need to make a report to CEOP. Further information available HERE.

Additional information, help and support available from:

Police Scotland launch campaign to combat rise in fraud

Police Scotland is running a major campaign to help people protect themselves from fraud – which has become one of the most commonly experienced crimes in the country.

Cases of criminals exploiting vulnerable and unsuspecting people and persuading them to part with money or personal information are continuing to rise.

During the six-week campaign, in partnership with Take Five to Stop Fraud, officers will also warn that criminals are becoming more sophisticated and convincing in their methods, and taking advantage of advances in technology.

Latest Scottish Government figures show that in 2019-20, fraud increased by 23% and since 2010-11 has gone up by 33%.

In the last year (April 2019- March 2020) there were 11,939 crimes of fraud recorded in Scotland – including many committed online, as criminals use the internet more and more to target victims. An increase of 2,264 crimes the previous year.

Throughout the campaign members of the public and businesses will be encouraged to follow straightforward and impartial advice – Stop, Challenge and Protect – aimed at reducing the chances of becoming a victim of financial fraud. This includes online fraud, email deception as well as phone-based and social media scams.

Essential information will be advertised on social media, digital screens as well as on Spotify.

Deputy Chief Constable Malcolm Graham said: “Fraud, in any form, is a despicable and cowardly crime with, often anonymous criminals targeting the most vulnerable people in our communities. We know these faceless crooks will take any opportunity to exploit any situation to their own nefarious advantage.

“We are well aware that fraud continues to rise and want to take the opportunity to warn the public and businesses take a few steps to protect themselves and remain vigilant.

“Our advice is clear and the public should be aware that a telephone call, email or text may not be from the person or organisation it appears to come from. Never click on a link from an unsolicited email or text, and remember that banks, police or other legitimate organisations will never ask you for personal banking information or ask you to move funds to a different account.

“With people spending more and more of their time in the cyber and digital space and the growth of the internet has seen otherwise traditional crimes, such as fraud, being carried out online. Our ambitious Cyber Strategy, published in September, sets a clear direction for how we will tackle the threat, risk and harm from digitally-enabled crimes including fraud.”

Cabinet Secretary for Justice Humza Yousaf said: “While levels of crime including those involving robbery, housebreaking and theft have fallen over the last decade, reported cases of fraud have risen by a third over the same period, at a time when we have all increased our use of online and mobile technologies.

“During 2020 we have seen unscrupulous individuals using the lockdown and on-going restrictions as an opportunity to target some of our most vulnerable citizens and exploit businesses. Such criminal behaviour is absolutely abhorrent and the Scottish Government is working with police and other partners to pursue those who cause harm and misery to our communities and to support people to stay safe.

“As we enter the festive season, I welcome Police Scotland’s timely campaign urging people to ‘stop, challenge and protect’ in order to help households, businesses and communities to keep themselves safe and secure this Christmas and into 2021. In addition anyone can sign up to receive trusted alerts and advice from Neighbourhood Watch Scotland on a range of safety and security issues targeted to their local area.”

Katy Worobec, Managing Director of Economic Crime at UK Finance said: “The banking and finance industry is committed to protecting customers from scams and is working closely with law enforcement and others to target the criminal gangs responsible, with almost £7 in £10 of fraud prevented in the first half of this year.

“Criminals are experts at impersonating people, organisations and the police. Particularly with the impact of Covid-19 and an increasingly digitised society, criminals are ruthlessly adapting their methods to target consumers online, via social media and over the phone.

“These scams are often sophisticated and well-researched: we encourage customers to be wary of unsolicited calls, emails, or text messages and avoid clicking in links in any unexpected correspondence.

“We would urge people to follow the advice of the Take Five to Stop Fraud campaign to keep themselves safe from fraud. Always take a moment to stop and think before parting with your money or information, and don’t let a criminal rush or panic you into making a decision that you’ll later come to regret.”

Deputy Chief Constable Graham added: “Sadly, during the current pandemic when people have been at home, the occurrence of fraud has also risen. Our management information showed that fraud increased by 45% in the first six months of 2020-21 compared to the same period last year.

“Police Scotland is absolutely committed to working with a wide range of partners to pursue anyone who sets out to cause harm and misery in our communities and make Scotland a hostile environment for them to operate.

“We remain vigilant and I would urge the public to do the same to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.”

Five ways to keep your personal data safe from hackers this Cyber Monday

New research reveals that nearly half (49%) of UK adults have not installed or didn’t know whether their mobile phone has security software. So keeping personal data safe from hackers has never been more important. 

In the wrong hands, stolen data can be used by hackers for illegal activity such as applying for loans or credit cards under a victim’s name, or bank accounts being accessed and money withdrawn.  

To help keep data safe, leading insurance provider, Insurance2go, shares five ways mobile phone users can help to protect personal data stored on their device.

  1. Be cautious of public Wi-Fi 

Using public Wi-Fi is great for those who have a low data allowance, or are running out of mobile data. However, public networks often don’t provide a secure connection, making it easy for hackers to use them to access personal data.  

Hackers targeting public Wi-Fi hotspots are able to use what is known as a ‘man-in-the-middle’ attack, which is when a hacker intercepts financial information, passwords and log-in information through a public network.  

Always avoid using mobile banking apps or making online purchases whilst logged onto a public Wi-Fi network. For those who do need to use public Wi-Fi, use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) app. A VPN can protect data from getting into the wrong hands by encrypting online data and keeping personal information secure when using a public Wi-Fi connection.  

  1. Turn off ‘sharing’ settings when not in use 

Smartphone features that share a location should be used with caution and always turned off when not in use. Features such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, location services, mobile data and Near Field Communication (NFC) are susceptible to hacking, especially Bluetooth location services as they transmit a device’s location and presence. 

Hackers can easily get hold of personal information and data through features that mark a phone as ‘visible’, so always make sure to disable such features when they are not needed. 

  1. Only download legitimate apps 

Downloading illegitimate apps is another way to open your personal data up to hackers. Often, apps hosted on some websites or third-party app stores can contain malware and can access data once downloaded. It’s recommended that users only download apps from the official app stores, so App Store for iOS users, Google Play for Android users or the AppGallery for Huawei owners. 

  1. Be wary of app permissions 

When an app is first downloaded, it often asks for ‘permission’ to access certain features or information held on a mobile phone. From the camera roll, to your speaker, location or phone contact list, apps can ask for a range of permissions in order for certain functions to work.  

Be cautious of what information an app is requesting access to and question whether the app actually needs that information. For example, a photo editing app doesn’t need contact list information in order to function correctly, so take the time to properly think about whether or not that information is needed. 

Viral video app, TikTok, recently came under fire for security issues in the US, with reports claiming that the Pentagon warned U.S. military personnel in January to delete TikTok from their phones and India, last month, banned Tik-Tok amongst other apps, over security and privacy concerns so it’s always important to review what permissions are being asked for by an app. 

  1. Avoid using auto-login 

Whilst it’s recommended to have a variety of passwords for online accounts rather than the same password, auto-login gives hackers easy access to personal data by simply opening up an app or webpage. For those likely to forget multiple passwords, note them down in a secure, password protected note on a phone, or in a notebook that is kept secure and stored away. 

And it’s not just using your mobile phone that can open your personal data up to hackers. What happens if your mobile phone is lost or stolen? Insurance2go  shares some useful tips for people who might find themselves in this scenario and want to keep their personal data safe: 

  1. Firstly, report the phone as missing to the network provider, who can suspend or disconnect the service to the phone. This can help stop any authorised use of the phone if it falls into the wrong hands. 
  1. If the mobile phone is known to be stolen, inform the police who will be able to provide a crime number, which can be used if the user needs to inform an insurance provider.    
  1. Most smartphones now have a built in ‘kill switch’, which can allow a user to remotely deactivate a device if it’s lost or stolen. In order to work, the feature needs to be enabled. For iPhone users, the ‘Activation Lock’ can be enabled within the‘Find My’ app to help keep data safe. Firstly, go to the‘Find My’app > Tap thedevices tab and choose which device is lost or stolen, then tap Activate under ‘Mark as Lost’and follow the prompts on screen. Android users can enable the kill switch with ‘Find My Device’. Go to Settings >Google>Security, then turn on ‘Remotely locate this device’and ‘Allow remote lock and erase’. 
  1. Finally, immediately change passwords for any accounts or apps that can be accessed on the mobile phone. Prioritise any important accounts first, such as online banking and other associated accounts. 

Richard Gray, Head of Marketing and Digital, at Insurance2go said: “Our mobile phones are home to lots of stored data and without correctly protecting your personal information, it could easily land in the wrong hands. 

“‘SIM-jacking’ is a common method where hackers are able to use stolen data to obtain a Porting Authorisation Code (PAC). This can then be used to switch the victim’s phone number to another phone on another network, helping them gain access to a range of personal data and information, often including banking details. 

“Protecting data stored on a mobile phone is extremely important. Hackers are often creating new ways to get a hold of our data, so we hope that by sharing our tips, we can help people avoid getting caught out by fraudsters.” 

To find out more about VPNs and how to protect data whilst on a public Wi-Fi, please visit: https://www.Insurance2go .co.uk/about/news-blog/blog/everything-you-ve-ever-wanted-to-know-about-vpns 

Witness appeal following Craigentinny attack

Police are appealing for information after a man was seriously injured in a disturbance within a property at Craigentinny Road.

The incident happened around 9.10pm on Thursday night (26 November).

A 22-year-old man suffered serious injuries during the incident and was taken to the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh for treatment – his condition is described as stable.

Officers are investigating and are particularly keen to identify four people seen in a vehicle leaving the area in the direction of Portobello after the incident.

Detective Sergeant Keith Taylor of the Edinburgh Violence Reduction Unit said: “We are working to establish the full circumstances of this violent attack.

“Our enquiries so far suggest this was a targeted incident and there was no risk to the wider public.”We would urge anyone who may have seen any suspicious activity around Craigentinny Road during Thursday evening to get in touch as soon as possible.

“We would be particularly keen to speak to anyone who may have private CCTV or dashcam footage.

“Anyone who can help is asked to call 101, quoting incident 3352 of 26 November, or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.”

Police Scotland advice: Time to review your home security

As we approach the festive period and darker nights, it’s a good time to review security of your home, says Police Scotland.

Do you keep your keys in view of a window? If you have an alarm, do you use it, is it zoned? Have you recorded the serial numbers for your electrical equipment? Are your valuables easily accessible? Have you uploaded your photos to the cloud or onto a hard drive? Here’s a few tips

:• Ensure your locks are tested to British Standard or meet the needs of your insurance company.

• Keep doors and windows locked.

• Keep car keys secure and hidden.

• If you are out whilst it is dark, consider fitting light timers or leaving a light on.

• Fit outside security lights, either motion senor or dusk to dawn.

• Window locks should be fitted where appropriate and used all the time. Do not leave the key in the lock.

• Mark all the electrical equipment with an ultraviolet marker pen

• At the front of the house hedges or trees should be trimmed or cropped so as not to provide cover for thieves.

• Laptop computers and mobile phones are favourite housebreaking targets. These should be locked away or removed from view. Add tracking software to smart phones, laptops and Ipads to aid in the recovery of these items

• Consider investing in a safe or strong box for storage of cash and valuables. A safe should be securely fixed to the fabric of the building and should only be used for short-term storage of cash.

• Consider an intruder alarm system. More info can be found here www.nsi.org.uk or www.ssaib.org

• Secure your shed and all tools (may be used to force entry).

• Consider a shed alarm.

• Consider joining www.neighbourhoodwatchscotland.co.uk

If you see anyone acting suspiciously contact the police immediately with a description of any person or vehicle involved.

Call 999 if an emergency or 101 to report the matter to the police. Further advice – https://www.scotland.police.uk/…/home…/secure-your-home/