The Cabinet Division has released a cautionary advisory titled “Prevention Against Financial Scam Activities – Impersonation as Govt Officials,” addressing the alarming rise in financial fraud and forgery. Highlighting a surge in cybercrime, scammers employ sophisticated methods such as phishing, smashing, and vishing to execute financial crimes, posing as government officials.
The advisory warns of scammers impersonating officers from entities like the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and Defense Forces. These fraudsters use fake official landline numbers, government department logos on WhatsApp, and call-cloning services, deceiving online banking users.
A notable tactic involves scammers creating spoofed websites resembling the State Bank of Pakistan for supposed verification, tricking victims into sharing personal financial details. The advisory underscores the risk of falling victim to social engineering tactics like call cloning, malicious apps, and fake websites, leading to unauthorized withdrawals from users’ accounts.
Emphasizing the absence of a complete technical solution for eradicating social engineering, the advisory advocates safe usage of mobile and computers, along with adherence to security guidelines. Users are urged to remain vigilant, verify suspicious calls with banking helplines, and refrain from sharing sensitive information over the phone.
The advisory further cautions against responding to anonymous emotional SMS, encourages the use of multi-factor authentication, and recommends regular password changes. Users are advised to scrutinize app details before installation, including downloads, user reviews, and additional information. Additionally, installing reputable antivirus, anti-malware, and anti-phishing solutions is recommended for enhanced cybersecurity.
In light of the evolving threat landscape, the advisory serves as a comprehensive guide to bolster users’ defense against financial scams and impersonation attempts by fraudsters.
