Fraudsters target a mobile user in Ellon

Fraudsters target a mobile user in Ellon

‘SIM Swapping’ is a type of scam where a criminal tricks a mobile phone carrier into transferring your phone number onto a new SIM card that they control. The criminal contacts your mobile phone company pretending to be you. They might claim they lost their phone or bought a new one and need to switch their number to a new SIM card (or an eSIM).

If the phone company falls for the trick, they deactivate your real SIM card and activate the criminal's SIM card instead. Suddenly, your phone loses all service and signal.

Once the criminal has your phone number on their device, they can intercept text messages and phone calls meant for you. This is dangerous because many banks and apps use text messages to send two-factor authentication (2FA) codes. With your number, the criminal can easily reset your passwords and break into your online banking or email accounts.

The victim in Ellon began receiving unsolicited authentication codes from their provider, O2. While on a support call, their mobile signal completely cut out. Criminals had contacted the provider requesting an eSIM overwrite.

With the phone number compromised, fraudsters accessed the victim's banking accounts, setting up fraudulent automated transfers.

The following day, the victim lost signal again. Criminals had successfully moved the mobile number entirely to a different network provider (EE).

Fraudsters attempted point-of-sale transactions and credit card transfers. When family members called the compromised number, a fraudster answered, attempting direct extortion by demanding money under false pretences.

Act on Signal Loss

If your phone loses service unexpectedly and you notice unrequested authentication texts, treat it as a security breach.

Secure Mobile Accounts

Contact your network provider immediately using a secure device to establish verbal passwords or enhanced PIN security.

Notify Financial Institutions

Alert your banks immediately if you lose mobile control so they can freeze savings and current accounts.

If you have experienced a similar cyber-attack, report it immediately to Police Scotland on 101.

This messaging system is not for reporting crime as responses are not monitored 24/7. If you have time-critical information regarding the content of the above message, or if you wish to report any other non-urgent matter, please call 101. In an emergency, call 999.

Police Scotland's North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function. Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community. These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues. They are assisted by the division's Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.

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PC Urquhart
(Police Scotland, PC - Preventions and Interventions, A Div - North East)