Different Modus Operandi in Cyber World

Contrary to what we know, walking on a street or in a dark alley alone, or going to a crowded place are the most dangerous places and happenings we encounter in our everyday life. Well, take a look at these modes of operations that are commonly used by attackers in the Cyber World and see it for yourself.

PNP Cyber Crime group compiles all the modus operandi committed in Cyber World and we listed it below:

The Online Libel

This is common most especially in Social Media. This is committed through text messages, emails, posts on social media, blogs, websites or in a piece of online news. Suspect tend to publish false statement posts, damaging the person's reputation or to defame.
According to Revised Penal Code of the Philippines (Article 355), the elements of libel are imputation/accusation of a discreditable act or condition to another, a publication of the imputation, the identity of the person defamed and existence of malice.

The Online Threat

This is also committed through text messages, emails, posts in social media accounts or in chat. The person is sending harsh and threatening words to the victim. Sometimes, the sender uses fake emails, social media accounts, and new SIM numbers to hide their identity.

The Online Scam

This is a never gets old scenario. The suspect or we should say "Scammer" is selling or trading an item that looks genuine at a very low price and is always asking money to the victim. Then, promises to ship the product as soon as they received the money/payment using their provided bank accounts. The victim also gives discounts until the victim concedes. Another modus of Scammers is they will send a text message to the victim (by random number), saying you won a cash price in a promo or telling they are your relatives that they need a load for emergencies.

Hacking and Identity Theft,

People who tend to access your Social Media accounts or emails without any consent or rights are hackers. In case you missed my post about different attacks by Hackers and on how to prevent them from accessing your accounts, read it here.

The Sextortion

This usually a form of sexual exploitation that employs a non-physical form of coercion to extort sexual favors from the victim. Players always create fake accounts often representing as a young female. Most victims are being approached in chat rooms, dating websites and social networking websites by initiating text communications in an attempt to befriend them. Players always perform recorded sexual acts or in actual on webcam and encourage the victim to do the same. Then the player secretly records the sessions to threat victim and ask for money in exchange for not posting the sexual images and videos of the victim.

Anti-Photo/Video Voyeurism

Any person who possesses nude photos or videos of another person without consent. Most cases or often, the suspect and victim may had previous relationship. The suspect threatens to post the images or videos in social media accounts or porn sites to blackmail the victim, to ask a favor or consideration in exchange of not posting it.

Incase you encounter any of these modus operandi, you may contact the Philippines National Police Cyber Crime Group using these details provided below:

1. Hotline number: (02) 414-1560 / 723-0401 local 5313
2. Fax: (02) 414-2199
3. Mobile number: 0998-568-9082
4. Twitter: @PNPACG
5. E-mail: pnp.anticybercrimegroup@gmail.com
6. Website: pnpacg.ph

Source: Philippine National Police Facebook Page.