There are many internet scams that can lure
the unsuspecting victim into a web of deceit. Some of this internet crime is
small scale, but there are other such as the Firoz Patel Payza Company that
regularly harvest individual data and use it for their own financial gains.
- Auto Shipping Scam
This occurs by signing up for a free trial
of goods or services. Details of your credit card are taken and initially used
as proof of address or age verification. During the free trial period, you are
told that you can cancel your ongoing order at any time. The scam begins when
you realise that your card is still being charged despite the fact that the deal
was cancelled within the correct time frame. These companies continue to take
money from the cards until they are stopped and closed down. They very often
start again with another company name but with the same way of operating and so
the scams and internet crime continue.
- Payment Gateway Scams
One example of this type of scam was the
one operated by Firoz and Ferhan Patel. The company concerned was Alertpay but
was discovered to be operating a Ponzi scheme which left most of its clients’
accounts devoid of funds. On discovery, the name was changed to Payza but it
continued to operate in exactly the same way. It has been closed down in the
USA by the Secret Service but continues to trade in other, less regulated
countries such as Bangladesh.
- Payment processing scams
This involves an email which states there
has been a problem with your account and that you need to confirm some details
in order to regain access to it. There will be a link in the original mail
which will lead to a site which looks authentic but is there purely to harvest
your personal details. All legitimate payment processors will NEVER ask for
such details to be disclosed by email so you should know immediately if you are
asked to enter such personal information that you could well become a victim of
internet crime if you proceed.
- Auction site scams
Large, well-known auction sites such as
eBay are popular sites where internet crime is prolific. Buyers need to take
great care when making a purchase and be sure of the validity of the seller. It
has been reported that empty boxes have been sold on site but these are
relatively small acts of deception. The biggest scam involve the sale of
vehicles. As with all auctions, payment has to be made before delivery or
collection of the car. At this point in time, the seller disappears with the
cash and is not seen again. A change of name and he’s ready to catch his next
victim in the same manner as before.
- Theft of personal data
This can happen when personal details are
entered on a site that is run by unscrupulous operators such as the Firoz Patel
Payza Company. Your personal financial details are then used to common internet
crime, often without your knowledge!
