Criminals are escalating their activities in anticipation of September 1st
As the new school year begins, a worrying trend of online scams has been reported, according to Yuri Silayev, head of the Trusted AI Lab at RТU МИРЭA. These scams, which occur predominantly online, are targeting parents and students alike.
One of the most common methods used by these scammers is the creation of fake sites and chat groups, particularly on messaging apps. They often impersonate class teachers, using avatars and names that mimic those of real educators.
The scammers use various tactics to trick their victims. They may announce an urgent collection of money, claiming it is for class needs, or send messages about fake discounts from "stores" and "educational platforms." In some cases, they even claim to be charitable foundations, asking for urgent help to send a child from a low-income family to school.
Victims are lured into entering their bank card details and usernames and passwords on a clone site, resulting in the loss of their money. In other instances, scammers use the pretext of alleged hacking or the need for urgent system updates to trick victims into clicking malicious links, which immediately fall into the hands of the criminals upon entry of login and password details.
Attacks targeting educational records on electronic diaries and school portals are also a significant threat. To 'restore access', the victim is asked to click a link and enter their login and password, effectively handing over their credentials to the scammers.
Yuri Silayev has also reported an increase in fraudulent calls from international numbers, a fivefold increase to be precise. These calls often pose as legitimate charitable foundations, further adding to the deception.
The increased cases of chat fraud online before the new school year are linked to students and others misusing AI tools like ChatGPT to cheat in exams and homework, often using hidden devices despite rules. This difficulty teachers have in detecting AI use exacerbates the problem.
It is crucial for parents, students, and educators to remain vigilant and exercise caution when interacting online. Always verify the authenticity of requests for personal or financial information, and never click on suspicious links or download unverified software. By staying informed and practising safe online behaviours, we can help protect ourselves and our communities from these scams.
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