New dangerous scam in Peru mimics bank numbers, threatening victims' accounts

Cybersecurity experts in Peru are sounding the alarm over a new digital scam that tricks victims into revealing sensitive financial information. Criminals are using "spoofing" technology to disguise their phone numbers, making calls appear to come directly from legitimate banks. This tactic significantly increases the likelihood that unsuspecting individuals will trust the caller.

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The authorities and cybersecurity specialists have warned about a new digital fraud modality in Peru, in which criminals make calls from numbers that appear to belong to banking entities.

The fraudsters often follow up by sending malicious APK files through messaging apps like WhatsApp. Once installed on a victim's mobile device, these files can grant attackers access to banking applications, personal data, and ultimately, the user's savings. The scheme has reportedly been used to target individuals across the country, with one businessman in the travel industry narrowly avoiding becoming a victim.

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Specialists in cybersecurity warn that criminals use the technique known as 'spoofing', which allows them to falsify the telephone number from which calls are made.

This new wave of fraud underscores the evolving tactics of cybercriminals in Peru. By impersonating trusted financial institutions and leveraging deceptive technology, scammers are exploiting people's reliance on digital communication and banking services. Authorities urge the public to exercise extreme caution when receiving unsolicited calls or messages, especially those requesting personal or financial data.

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These files can install malicious software on devices, opening the possibility of accessing banking credentials, mobile applications, and personal data stored on the phone.