The number of computer and telecommunications scams in Portugal has almost doubled in four years, according to data released today by the Public Security Police (PSP), which warns, in particular, of the increase in cases of the “Hello father, hello mother” scam.
In 2019, there were 6,758 cases of computer and telecommunications fraud, a figure that rose to 10,910 between January and October this year, says the national directorate of the PSP. In 2022, the total number of this type of scam reached 11,241 cases.
The number of detainees rose from two in all of 2019 to 31 by October this year, with the number of suspects rising from 251 to 390 in the same period.
“Among the potential risks to which, inevitably, users are exposed with the use of new technologies, the PSP highlights this year the scam that became known as ‘Hello father, hello mother,’ whose number of occurrences has been increasing,” the statement said.
The suspects mostly use the WhatsApp messaging platform and present themselves as a close relative – usually sons or daughters – of the potential victim and ask for money, claiming that they have changed their number.
“The reported occurrences are registered throughout the national territory, with a special incidence in urban areas with higher population density,” warns the PSP, noting that the exchange of messages “may continue for hours, with informal content and day-to-day records, to assess the close relationship between the potential victim and his descendant.”
The authorities recommend that anyone, when confronted with something like this, is to physically call the number as a way of ascertaining the true nature of the message.
The PSP asks victims not to make any money transfer without, at least, first being able to speak to their ‘child’ and recognise the voice of the person to who they are talking to. And, in cases where this is not possible, they must ask simple questions that their relative would know, such as birthdays or other personal information.
“Scams are a growing criminal phenomenon, in counter-cycle with the trend of general crime in our country” and “despite the existence of greater access to information and a more informed population, the famous ‘vicar’s tale’ continues to be an effective way of illegitimately obtaining the patrimonial value of others,” warns the PSP.
According to the authorities, “the elderly continue to be the main victims of various types of scams practiced by suspects,” but in recent years, “following the technological evolution and the potential of the digital world,” suspects “have reached other types of victims.”
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com
