Azerbaijan’s National Cybersecurity Agency, known by its Azerbaijani initials MKA, has warned of widespread cyberfraud attempts targeting citizens, including relatives of government officials.
Scammers are spoofing phone numbers, using WhatsApp and imitating voices with artificial intelligence to create panic and steal money, personal information and banking details, the agency said in a statement reported by Report on Oct. 20.
One tactic involves callers posing as employees of government institutions or law enforcement agencies and making threats. Another involves contacting parents or other family members and claiming that a relative urgently needs help.
The agency said fraudsters use psychological pressure and fake links to obtain information. It urged people not to panic or make rushed decisions, even when a caller tries to frighten them or demands immediate action.
Anyone receiving a suspicious call or message supposedly from a government agency should end the conversation and verify its authenticity through official sources, MKA said.
The agency also warned against sharing bank card details, SMS verification codes or two-factor authentication codes with others. It specifically urged families to inform elderly relatives about these methods of deception.
Source: Vesti Baku.