Call centre and electronic fraud spikes globally
Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) said Monday December 9, 2024, it had raided a call center that defrauded 100,000 people in 50 countries, including the European Union.
On December 10, 2024, in The United States Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Richard Zeitlin the owner of a telemarketing call center business, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for his leadership role in a scheme to defraud donors of certain political action committees (“PACs”) through false and misleading fundraising calls.
In recent years, Jamaica has also witnessed a significant trend in electronic fraud (eFraud) incidents under which data theft via call centres is classified.
In 2022, a total of 320 cases of eFraud were reported, with the financial impact amounting to J$120,302,038 and USD $19,785,190. The following year, 2023, saw a slight increase in the number of reports, totaling 355.
Call centre based fraud is classified under efraud and continues to occur in Jamaica . In October 2024 during a hearing, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell pointed to a growing number of fraud cases in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court after hearing about a call center agent, Ricki Rickards, who allegedly stole US$50,024 (about J$7.8 million) from customers.
Investigators said that Richards worked at the call center and had a special login code to access customer accounts. Between August 2021 and early 2022, Richards is accused of accessing several accounts and transferring money to a PayPal account overseas.
Richards, she admitted to committing the crime. “Officer, I changed customers’ sign-ons and transferred money to my friend’s PayPal account overseas. I told my employer everything.”
From season to season, fraudsters find new ways to fool customers. Globally older persons are currently being warned by the Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to beware of airline scams utilized by tricksters at this time of year, another avenue for data stealers.
“Stay ahead of airline call center scams. Just because an airline customer service helpline number appears at the top of internet search results doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Also, Any “agent” requesting a credit card to do so likely only has their own wallet at heart,” The AARP warns.
In early 2024, the Fraud Squad of the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said continues to make significant strides in the fight against electronic fraud in Jamaica.
Since the start of the year, the police have arrested a number of persons involved with offences including Unauthorized Access to Computer Data, Simple Larceny, Conspiracy to Defraud, Unlawfully Making Data/Device Available for the Commission of an Offence, and Breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act.
“The call centers were part of an international organized crime ring engaged in massive fraud against citizens of the EU, U.K., Canada, Brazil, India, Japan and others under the guise of investment deals,” the FSB said. “Revenues from its illegal activities reached US $1 million a day.” The FSB said it arrested 11 managers and employees, including an Israeli-Ukrainian citizen identified by J. D. Keselman and said to be one of the company’s heads.
On December 10, 2024, in The United States Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that Richard Zeitlin the owner of a telemarketing call center business, was sentenced to 121 months in prison for his leadership role in a scheme to defraud donors of certain political action committees (“PACs”) through false and misleading fundraising calls.
In recent years, Jamaica has also witnessed a significant trend in electronic fraud (eFraud) incidents under which data theft via call centres is classified.
In 2022, a total of 320 cases of eFraud were reported, with the financial impact amounting to J$120,302,038 and USD $19,785,190. The following year, 2023, saw a slight increase in the number of reports, totaling 355.
Call centre based fraud is classified under efraud and continues to occur in Jamaica . In October 2024 during a hearing, Senior Parish Judge Sanchia Burrell pointed to a growing number of fraud cases in the Kingston and St Andrew Parish Court after hearing about a call center agent, Ricki Rickards, who allegedly stole US$50,024 (about J$7.8 million) from customers.
Investigators said that Richards worked at the call center and had a special login code to access customer accounts. Between August 2021 and early 2022, Richards is accused of accessing several accounts and transferring money to a PayPal account overseas.
Richards, she admitted to committing the crime. “Officer, I changed customers’ sign-ons and transferred money to my friend’s PayPal account overseas. I told my employer everything.”
From season to season, fraudsters find new ways to fool customers. Globally older persons are currently being warned by the Association of Retired Persons (AARP) to beware of airline scams utilized by tricksters at this time of year, another avenue for data stealers.
“Stay ahead of airline call center scams. Just because an airline customer service helpline number appears at the top of internet search results doesn’t mean it’s legitimate. Also, Any “agent” requesting a credit card to do so likely only has their own wallet at heart,” The AARP warns.
In early 2024, the Fraud Squad of the Counter Terrorism and Organized Crime Investigation Branch (CTOC) of the Jamaica Constabulary Force (JCF) said continues to make significant strides in the fight against electronic fraud in Jamaica.
Since the start of the year, the police have arrested a number of persons involved with offences including Unauthorized Access to Computer Data, Simple Larceny, Conspiracy to Defraud, Unlawfully Making Data/Device Available for the Commission of an Offence, and Breaches of the Proceeds of Crime Act.
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