Welcome to the complex world of cybercriminals. These criminals are not nocturnal felons. They are not dictated by time and space. They are, seemingly, omnipresent, just like the internet, which knows your every move, your every design, like, dislike, desire – even dreams. 

While the term ‘cybercriminal’ implicitly presents a technologically advanced world with few, if any, crime scene tapes to caution you against venturing in that zone, the crimes committed by these cyber experts can have devastating effects. 

Statistics paint a grim picture; here is a quick look at key cybercrime figures as per online resources:

• Global cybercrime damages are estimated to reach a staggering $10.5 trillion by 2025.   
• The cyber security market is predicted to reach up to $ 533.9 billion by 2032
• On average, there’s a cybercrime victim every 39 seconds.   
• Globally, a ransomware attack happens every 14 seconds.
• Over 75 percent of cyber-attacks start with a scam email.
• More than 90 percent of companies worldwide had faced at least one cyber-attack by September 2023.
• Phishing remains a leading attack vector, with countless victims falling prey to fraudulent emails.

Common online scams:

Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated. Here are some of the most common tactics used by scammers, according to online studies:

• Copycat websites: Fraudsters create fake government websites to charge fees for services that are free or low-cost.
• Romance scams: Scammers build trust through online dating platforms before asking for money or personal information.
• Holiday fraud: Fake booking sites promise accommodation that doesn’t exist, leaving travelers stranded.
• Mandate fraud: Hackers intercept emails to change payment details, diverting funds to themselves.
• Pharming: Users are redirected to fake websites that steal personal information.
• Phishing emails: Fake emails from trusted sources trick victims into revealing sensitive data.
• Job offer scams: Fake job offers, commonly for remote work, lure victims in with promises of high pay, often requesting direct payments for equipment or fees.
• Lottery scams: Unexpected notifications of lottery wins, usually with large payouts, require upfront fees to claim the prize. 
• Beneficiary scams: These involve promises of sharing large sums of money in exchange for fees or personal information.
• Online dating scams: Fraudsters build trust through online relationships before asking for money or personal details.
• Charity scams: Exploiting natural disasters or crises, scammers create fake charities to solicit donations.
• Repair scams: Unsolicited calls offering computer repair services often lead to malware installation and data theft.
• Social media scams: Fake profiles, quizzes, and apps are used to gather personal information or spread malware.
• Robocall scams: Automated calls often impersonate government agencies or businesses to demand immediate payment or personal information.
• Messaging scams: Phishing attempts via SMS, WhatsApp, or other platforms aim to steal personal data or money.
• Online shopping scams: Fake online stores offer products at discounted prices but often deliver counterfeit or no items.

How to escape internet scams?

If you have been around long enough, you would have heard of the Nigerian email scams or the so-called ‘foreign money exchanges’, which would start off with an email from someone who claimed to be a millionaire or royalty, asking you to share your bank details to help transfer the funds. 

Although online reports claim that such scams are still in existence, the types of frauds and methods used have reached far and wide with cybercriminals relying on advanced technology to siphon off your bank accounts without even letting you know something is amiss in your finances.

Nevertheless, red flags are all around you—spot them before you fall headlong into a scam, suggest experts.

Experts suggest the following steps to be aware and alert:

• Don’t cash cheques or send money in advance for equipment/fees in exchange for jobs.
• Watch out for emails from unknown senders, if you have never bought a lottery ticket; be wary of requests for fees.
• Beware of fast emotional connections, requests for money, and a move to private messaging – all of which signal romance scam.
• Research the charity before donating. Look for a reliable website with a mission statement and tax-exempt documentation to avoid charity scams.
• Avoid quizzes, pop-up messages, and shortened URLs; don’t click on links or open attachments in unsolicited messages, which are part of social media scams.
• Never accept unsolicited repair advice or remote access to your computer.
• Don’t answer suspicious calls (robocall scams); avoid following prompts or saying ‘yes’. Report robocalls to the FTC.
• Beware of incredibly low prices while online shopping; also requests for immediate payment through risky methods.
• Never share personal details with anyone you don’t trust.
• Be alert to phishing scams – don’t click suspicious links or attachments.
• Don’t give remote access to your computer.
• Secure your devices with passwords and avoid public Wi-Fi for sensitive tasks.
• Enable two-factor authentication to add an extra layer of security.
• Use strong passwords and consider a password manager.
• Adjust privacy settings on social media and report suspicious activity.
• Avoid streaming from unknown websites.
• Install and update cybersecurity software.

How to spot fake websites:

• Check the domain name for misspellings or extra words.
• Use Whois lookup to see who registered the domain and when.
• Look for https:// in the URL and a padlock icon.
• Check for typos, poor writing, and missing information (terms & conditions, return policy).
• Use secure payment methods and be wary of unfamiliar options.
• Read online reviews (be skeptical of identical or recent ones).

Please Note: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Never share personal or financial information with unsolicited contacts.