Antwerp police crack down on phishing ring targeting Facebook users
Local police in Antwerp detained eight suspects, three adults and five minors, in connection with a phishing case on Thursday.
"The fraudsters lured their victims through malicious advertisements on an online sales platform, which enabled the group to steal bank details and make fraudulent purchases," police said on Saturday.
Two adults were questioned by the investigating judge and released on bail. Two minors were sent to a closed facility by the juvenile court judge. The remaining suspects were temporarily released.
The investigation began last summer after police received reports of cyber fraud. Each victim had responded to an online advertisement on Facebook Marketplace.
The alleged sellers asked for a 5 euro deposit to make a purchase. To make the payment, the victims were redirected to a website where all their banking information was stolen. The group then used this information to place online orders with a retail chain.
#FlandersNewsService | © PHOTO ANP / HOLLANDSE HOOGTE / JAAP ARRIENS
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