The Rise of Online Scammers Targeting Accommodation Booking Platforms
In today’s digital age, the convenience of booking accommodations online has transformed the way we travel. However, with this convenience comes a growing network of online scammers who are targeting users of popular accommodation booking platforms, such as Booking.com and Airbnb.
Recent findings from ESET researchers have uncovered a troubling trend in the cybercriminal world. These scammers are using a Telegram-based toolkit called Telekopye, which has been in operation since 2016. Initially focusing on scamming users of online marketplaces, Telekopye groups have now set their sights on exploiting the hotel and apartment booking sector.
Telekopye provides scammers, known as “Neanderthals,” with a sophisticated toolkit to conduct well-organized phishing campaigns. This toolkit includes features like generating phishing emails, SMS messages, and fake payment websites.
One of the ways these scammers operate is by compromising legitimate hotel accounts and then reaching out to users with claims related to booking payments. This leads victims to provide sensitive payment details on fake websites that closely mimic the real booking platforms.
How Cybercriminals Use Telekopye to Defraud Travelers in 2024
As ESET researchers have warned, these scammers have become increasingly sophisticated in their tactics. They now use information obtained from compromised accounts to deceive victims. For example, victims may receive emails or messages that appear to be from official channels, making the scams harder to detect.
In July 2024, there was a significant increase in accommodation-themed scams, surpassing the original marketplace-focused scams that Telekopye was known for.
Despite law enforcement efforts in 2023 that led to some arrests, these scam networks persist. ESET advises users to be aware of the tactics used by Neanderthals and exercise caution on affected platforms. It’s also crucial to use reputable anti-malware solutions, strong passwords, and enable two-factor authentication to protect online accounts.
As these scammers continue to evolve and improve their tools, staying vigilant and taking proactive security measures is essential to safeguard against falling victim to their scams.
Stay informed, stay safe, and protect your personal information while booking accommodations online.
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