Cybercrime Southeast Europe Newsletter No. 71

Dear Reader,

Imagine the following scenario: you are on a summer vacation, lying on the beach, listening to the waves, with a cold coffee beside you and your phone in hand. Suddenly, a message arrives:
“Your account has been temporarily blocked. Click here to verify your identity.”

Your instinct says: click immediately. This is exactly what scammers are counting on. Their main weapon is not technology, but human psychology – fear, urgency, the promise of quick profit, or false trust.

Today’s cybercriminals rely on social engineering, meaning they do not attack devices but people. Instead of forcefully breaking passwords, they manipulate our emotions and impulses. Through fear, urgency, or promises of easy earnings, they lead users to voluntarily disclose sensitive information.

Messages that appear to come from banks, courier services, or government institutions often request confirmation of card numbers, CVV codes, PINs, or one-time SMS codes. While they may look authentic, a closer inspection often reveals signs of fraud: grammatical errors, suspicious links, or email addresses with small deviations from official ones.

Protection is straightforward but requires caution: pause before clicking or entering any information, use mobile data or VPNs when on public Wi-Fi, save all communication and transaction records, and contact your bank immediately if you suspect any unauthorized activity.

Knowledge and vigilance are the best defenses against cyber scams. Understanding scammers’ methods and responding promptly can prevent significant financial losses and identity theft.

Kind regards,
Attorney Zoran Miljaković