(9) people were arrested for computer fraud by the method commonly known as “sim swapping", With a loss that exceeds a total of -185.000- euros.
Σwere taken under warrants, in the morning hours of 5-11-2020, after a coordinated police operation in Athens, Thessaloniki and Imathia, by squads of police officers of the Dionysos Attica Security Department, the Northeastern Attica Security Sub-Directorate and the Environmental Protection, Property and Sub-Directorate of the Security Directorate of Thessaloniki and the Security Department of Alexandria Imathia, nine (9) people (seven locals and two foreigners), accused of computer fraud with damage totaling more than -185.000- euros, forgery after use and money laundering.
As for the chronology of the case, there had been complaints from citizens to the T.A. Dionysos, to the Security Department of Thebes and the Security Sub-Directorate of Mytilene, for the transfer of funds from their bank accounts to third party accounts, without their knowledge and corresponding files were formed.
After the correlation of the Cases and the thorough investigation carried out by the T.A. Dionysos, the perpetrators of the fraud were revealed, who in the months of February and March 2020, committed computer frauds, at least for the three examined cases, having extracted sums of money totaling at least -185.500- euros.
The withdrawn sums of money, as it turned out, ended up in the bank accounts of the (9) arrested, as well as another wanted person.
In terms of methodology, the perpetrators use the fraud method, more commonly known as "sim swapping“. Specifically, the perpetrators initially steal the secret passwords (username - password) on the e-banking platforms, by installing malicious software on the victims' computers.
Then, using fake credentials or other forged documents, they go to telecommunications service shops and obtain a new sim card, at the phone number used by the victim, to obtain the verification codes required to complete a banking transaction on the platform. banking. In this way, they extract money from the accounts of their victims.
The action of the arrested extends throughout the Greek Territory, as the investigation revealed that they have replaced sim cards in various areas of the country.
The arrested were brought before the Prosecutor of Criminal Execution of the Athens Court of First Instance.
