The recent surge of scam phone calls targeting Ukrainian and Russian immigrants in Portugal has raised concerns about a potential massive data leak that might be fueling these vishing scams. The Association of Ukrainians in Portugal has reported numerous incidents where individuals have received suspicious calls from people posing as authoritative figures, attempting to extract sensitive personal information. These phone calls often involve a Russian-speaking person claiming to be from the PJ Judicial Police (PJ) or other official entities, urging victims to divulge their bank account details and other personal information. Despite no confirmed cases of successful fraud, the widespread nature of these calls suggests that a significant data breach might have occurred.
Prevalence of Vishing Scams
Vishing scams, a term derived from “voice phishing,” involve fraudulent phone calls that trick victims into revealing confidential information. In the current scenario, the primary targets have been Ukrainian nationals, although some Russians have also reported similar experiences. Victims describe the caller as a Russian-speaking person who impersonates a PJ inspector, bank employee, or a public prosecutor. The caller’s main objective is to solicit personal and financial information under the guise of procedural necessity or legal requirement. The fact that these scammers are primarily targeting Ukrainian and Russian immigrants has raised alarm bells, with community associations pushing for swift investigations.
The president of the Association of Ukrainians in Portugal, Pavlo Sadokha, has vocalized his concerns, recounting his own unsettling experience with a vishing call. Sadokha emphasized that hundreds of Ukrainians have reported identical incidents, marking a disturbing trend given the volume of affected individuals. According to him, although no victim has admitted to being scammed successfully, the frequency and consistency of the calls strongly indicate that the scammers have access to a comprehensive database containing personal details. This data, coupled with the impersonator’s fluency in Russian, suggests that the data breach might involve social media platforms or other channels frequented by these immigrants.
Potential Data Leak
The Association of Ukrainians in Portugal is actively addressing the issue by collaborating with national data protection authorities. The organization has lodged an official complaint with the National Data Protection Commission (CNPD) after observing the pattern and prevalence of the scam calls. The victims typically share a few common factors, such as their Ukrainian nationality or origin and frequently used mobile phone numbers. This commonality suggests that the scammers might have obtained personal information through a significant data breach from a platform popular among immigrants residing in Portugal.
The concerning aspect is that the data seemingly includes not just phone numbers but also first and last names and possibly even nationalities. This extensive information is used to build credible personas, making it easier for the scammers to gain their victims’ trust. Given the number of complaints, the CNPD is working intently to investigate the source of the breach and implement measures to prevent future occurrences. Associations and legal authorities advise the community to be vigilant and report any suspicious calls to the police while refraining from divulging any personal information over the phone.
Official Recommendations and Community Response
The Association of Ukrainians in Portugal has highlighted numerous cases where individuals reported receiving suspicious calls. These calls involve people pretending to be from authoritative bodies, attempting to steal personal info. Often, a Russian-speaking caller claims to be from the PJ Judicial Police or other official agencies, pressing victims to share their bank details and other personal info. While no successful fraud cases have been confirmed, the widespread nature of these calls hints at a significant data breach. Authorities are urged to investigate the potential leak’s origin and take necessary measures to protect the immigrant community. Enhanced awareness and precaution among the public can also help mitigate the impact of such schemes, ensuring that personal details remain secure and reducing the risk of falling victim to these vishing scams.
