MUSCAT – In a public advisory, the bank said scammers often begin by sending deceptive messages or making phone calls that appear to come from legitimate financial institutions. Victims may receive alarming notifications claiming that a large sum — for example RO 500— has been withdrawn from their account, prompting them to respond quickly.

According to the CBO, these schemes typically involve fraudulent links, social media offers, or phone calls designed to trick customers into revealing their OTP — the verification code used to authorise banking transactions.

“The OTP is the key to your account,” the bank said, stressing that sharing the code effectively allows fraudsters to carry out transactions using the victim’s card or banking details.

Authorities cautioned that such attempts tend to rise during holiday periods, when increased online shopping and financial activity create more opportunities for scammers.