Two detained for computer fraud - 2 million BGN stolen by phfishing emails

Two people were detained in a specialised police operation by officers from General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP), which took place on October 26.

Computer configurations, mobile phones, and documents were seized from three searched addresses. A small amount of cannabis was also found. A number of witnesses were questioned, identifications were made as well.

It is established that the participants in the criminal conspiracy have used malware, through which they were infecting hundreds of computers in the country.

According to initial information, they distributed hundreds of thousands of phishing messages on behalf of private bailiffs, non-existent telecommunication companies, as well as promotional offers by technology chain stores, fake notifications by the National Revenue Agency, the Anti-corruption Commission (CACIAF), the Registry Agency, banks, summons by the Traffic Police and more.

A file, containing a computer virus, which many antivirus programmes could not recognize, was attached to the phishing emails. The infected computers were connected to a server, used by the detainees, which is now deactivated and seized by the investigators. This way the cybercriminals received access to all the data from the infected computers – personal and business documents, passwords for access to online banking, as well as profiles in mail and social platforms.

The money from the victims’ accounts was then transferred through other accounts to money mules in the country, that withdrew them in cash and handed them over to the detainees. Duplicate SIM cards of the owners were used for this purpose. A hypothesis is being investigated that the detainees were assisted in the duplication of the SIM cards by an employee in a telecommunication company, who provided them with the personal information of the real card owners.

According to the evidence, collected so far, the participants in the criminal act caused damages totaling 1 million BGN to three trading companies in a little more than two years. The provendamages on the dozens of deceived individuals are expected to reach more than 1 million BGN.

The Specialised Prosecutor’s Office pressed charges against the two detainees for involment in criminal conspiracy, organised with the aim for financial advantages from computer frauds (crimes defined by Art.321, par.6 and Art.212a, par.1 of the Penal Code)

On October 29, the Specialised Criminal Court reamnded the alleged perpetrators in custody.

Work on the case continues and all individuals and legal entities who became victims of the described scheme can signal or provide additional information to the General Directorate for Combating Organized Crime (GDBOP).