How to avoid becoming a victim of fraud: cyber police give advice to relatives of prisoners of war and missing persons
Kyiv • UNN
Cases of fraud against relatives of prisoners of war and missing persons have become more frequent in Ukraine. Cyberpolice provides advice on counteracting fraudsters and recommends referring to official sources of information.
There are more and more cases in Ukraine when relatives and friends of prisoners of war become victims of fraudsters who speculate on the topic of the release of Ukrainian soldiers and the search for missing people. This was stated by the Cyber Police, UNN reports.
Details
Law enforcers noted that fraudsters monitor public posts on social media by people looking for information about missing or captured relatives.
Presenting themselves as volunteers, journalists, government officials, or even representatives of the aggressor country, the perpetrators promise to facilitate the release, arrange a phone call, or provide information about a loved one.
To achieve their own goals, they request confidential information (personal and contact details of the military, including full name, name of the military unit, military rank, military status, as well as information about bank cards, photos of documents, etc.
Cyberpolice advises to avoid any contact with suspicious persons who may be fraudsters. Basic tips for countering fraud:
- Check the source of the information. Always find out who exactly is contacting you with an offer of assistance. Pay attention to official sources of information, such as the official websites of government agencies or trusted organizations that deal with the release of prisoners of war.
- Protection of personal data. Never share confidential information with strangers. Avoid disclosing personal information on social media, even in private messages.
- Doubtful offers. Be wary of any financial offers related to "liberation" or "assistance". Remember that government agencies and official volunteer organizations do not require payment for providing information or assistance.
- Contact law enforcement. If you suspect that you have become a victim of online fraud, immediately contact the cyber police at.
The Cyberpolice adds that to provide law enforcement with information about a loved one's capture and to submit biological samples of a DNA profile, use the phone numbers on the official website of the National Police of Ukraine. There is also an algorithm of actions in case your loved one's whereabouts are unknown or they are in captivity.
For reliable and secure assistance in the search for missing persons, prisoner of war exchange, return of prisoners, deported and forcibly displaced civilians, including children, please contact the Ombudsman's Office:
- by calling: 0800501720 or 0442997408
- by sending an e-mail: [email protected]
- offline through the public reception at the address: 21/8 Instytutska St., Kyiv.
Recall
In March , the deputy head of the National Police, Andriy Nebytov, said that more than 50,000 people have been missing since the start of the full-scale invasion
