Alleged Microsoft Support Staff Indicted for Fraud by Polish Authorities

Senior Falls Victim to Microsoft Scam in Much

A 71-year-old man from the town of Much in Germany has been the latest victim of a scam involving fraudulent calls from individuals posing as Microsoft employees. On March 18, the senior received a message on his computer stating that his PC had been hacked, and an unknown man called him, claiming to be a Microsoft employee and remotely accessed his computer.

The scammer then claimed to have found three unauthorized transactions from the victim's account while "scanning" for viruses. In an attempt to reverse these transactions, the scammer requested a TAN for the senior's online banking. The senior provided the TAN, and the unknown caller ended the call, leading to three transactions totaling 250 euros being made without the senior's knowledge.

Police advise against complying with demands from unknown callers claiming to be from companies like Microsoft. No company (e.g., banks, software firms, providers) will ever ask you to install data or allow remote access to your computer without your prior support request and consent. Furthermore, you should not disclose any personal information, such as passwords, or follow any links provided.

If you receive such support calls, note down the displayed phone numbers if visible. To report the incident to your local police station, contact the Rhein-Sieg District Police Headquarters Press Office at 02241/541-2222 or [email protected]. If necessary, disconnect your computer from the internet. Do not make any payments, such as providing credit card details, or install any software as instructed over the phone.

As of now, the specific perpetrators of the scam calls in Much on March 18 are not identified in the available search results. It is crucial to remain vigilant and protect your personal information from such scams. Stay safe and secure online.