Criminal gangs use phishing techniques to obtain sensitive information and use it for financial fraud. There are many ways. The following are some common strategies and steps.： ### 1. **Fake email** -**Pretending to be a legal organization**: Criminal gangs will send emails that appear to be from banks, credit card companies, government agencies, or other trusted entities. These emails usually contain company logos, professional typesetting, and seemingly legitimate links. -**Urgent or threatening language**: The content of the email usually creates a sense of urgency or threat, such as claiming that the account will be closed, that information needs to be verified immediately, or that there are unpaid bills that need to be processed. ### 2. **Fake website** -**Counterfeit website**: The link in the email usually points to a fake website, which is designed to be almost exactly the same as a legitimate website. Victims are induced to enter sensitive information on the website, such as user names, passwords, credit card numbers, social security numbers, etc. -**Domain name spoofing**: Criminal gangs will use domain names that are very similar to legitimate domain names (for example“ "paypal.com “Change to"paypa1.com ”) to confuse the victim. ### 3. **SMS fishing (Smishing)** -**Fake text messages**: Criminal gangs will send text messages that appear to be from banks or other trusted sources, claiming that there is a problem with the account or that immediate action is required. The text message usually contains a link, and when clicked, it will be directed to a fake website or download malicious software. ### 4. **Phone fishing (Vishing)** -**Fake phone calls**: Criminal gangs will pretend to be employees of banks or government agencies and ask victims to provide sensitive information over the phone. They may use deceptive techniques (such as falsifying CALLER ID) to increase credibility. ### 5. **Social media fishing** -**Fake social accounts**: Criminal gangs will create seemingly legitimate social media accounts, impersonate companies or celebrities, and then induce victims to click on malicious links or provide sensitive information through private messages or comments. ### 6. **Malware** -**Attachments or downloads**: Phishing emails or text messages may contain malicious attachments or links, and malicious software will be downloaded to the victim's device after clicking. These software can record keyboard input, steal passwords, or remotely control devices. ### 7. **Data utilization** -**Identity theft**: Once the victim's sensitive information is obtained, criminal gangs can use it for identity theft, open new accounts, conduct unauthorized transactions, or sell to other criminals. -**Financial fraud**: The bank account information, credit card information, etc. obtained can be directly used for financial fraud, such as transfer, shopping, withdrawal, etc. ### 8. **Advanced Persistent Threat (APT)** -**Targeted attacks**: Phishing attacks against specific individuals or organizations are usually carefully planned and researched to increase the success rate. For example, the “CEO fraud” attack on company executives. ### 9. **Social engineering** - **Psychological manipulation**: Criminal gangs use psychological principles, such as authority, urgency, fear, etc., to induce victims to relax their vigilance and voluntarily provide sensitive information. ### Precautions -**Be vigilant**: Be vigilant to any request for sensitive information, especially via email, text message or phone call. -**Verify the source**: Verify the authenticity of the request through official channels before providing any information. -**Use security software**: Install and regularly update anti-virus and anti-phishing software. -**Educate employees**: Companies should conduct regular network security training for employees to improve their ability to identify phishing attacks. By understanding these methods, individuals and organizations can better protect themselves from phishing and financial fraud.