Benin: OCRC exposes two new operating methods of cybercriminals The Central Office for the Repression of Cybercrime (OCRC) has alerted the public about two new operating methods used by cybercriminals commonly known as “gayman”. The police unit has urged the population to remain vigilant in order to avoid falling into the trap of cyber scammers.
New operating methods of cybercriminals to lure their victims. The first operating method that is currently victimizing people involves impersonating agents of the National Lottery of Benin (LNB). According to the description provided by the OCRC, cybercriminals create “groups on social media platforms such as WhatsApp, Facebook, Telegram, Messenger, etc. and invite their victims to join these groups.”
Once the victims are integrated into these groups, the cybercriminals demand 5,000 CFA francs as a registration fee. In addition to the 5,000 CFA francs, victims are also required to send “information about their identities and a few photos.” Subsequently, the victims must send more money for the cybercriminals to play on their behalf, using supposed winning numbers.
When the LNB announces the results, the cybercriminals make the victims believe that they have won. However, the victims are required to pay a large sum before they can claim their winnings. “When the victims send the requested sum of money in hopes of claiming their winnings, the cybercriminals block them and cut off all contact with their targets,” stated the OCRC.
What about the second operating method? Regarding the second operating method, it can be said that cybercriminals have taken it to an extreme level.
They have compiled a list of all the corporate phone numbers assigned to police stations, specifically those used by police officers designated to provide service at the police station. They then contact these officers by phone, pretending to be a lawyer, the territorially competent Public Prosecutor, or the Special Prosecutor near the CRIET.
The purpose of this operating method is to make suspects held in police stations believe that they will be released upon payment of large sums. Thus, when cybercriminals manage to contact suspects through the police officers, they obtain the contact information of their relatives from those held in custody. “Once they have obtained the phone numbers, cybercriminals contact the parents of the detainees, urging them to transfer large sums of money to the number +229 56-51-21-89. As soon as they receive the money, they disappear by cutting off all contact with the victims and their parents,” reads the OCRC’s alert message.
The phone numbers used by cybercriminals to contact police officers, detainees, and their parents are +229 56-51-21-89 and +229 56-96-02-55.
