Online fraud have become increasingly in Portugal and are increasingly sophisticated, with “Nigerian” schemes to adapt to new technologies and explore victims’ emotions and confidence to get personal money or information. These schemes, which started with simple emails promising great fortunes in exchange for early payments, have evolved to more complex and difficult to detect methods. Learn more in this article.
Nigerian schemes
The “Nigerian” schemes are based on social engineering, manipulating victims emotionally to provide personal data or transfer money. Initially these frauds in Portugal emerged in the form of messages from influential figures from Nigeria, but today the burns operate around the world, using social networks, meetings and even telephone calls.
Technological evolution allowed criminals to adapt their strategies. During the Covid-19 pandemic, schemes related to treatments and financial supports emerged. More recently, burns have explored topics such as cryptocurrencies, rapid investments and even secret societies to attract victims.
Main types of schemes
1. Romantic fraud – Burlons create fake social networking profiles to establish emotional relationships. After gaining the victim’s confidence, they ask for money for medical expenses or trips.
2. Investment schemes -Criminals present themselves as successful entrepreneurs or investors, promising high profits in exchange for an initial payment for legal fees or expenses.
3. Invitations for the Illuminati – Burlons send messages stating that the victim was selected to a secret society and promise wealth and power, requiring an initial payment for adhesion.
4. False lottery prizes – The victim receives the information that he has won a prize, but to receive it, it is necessary to pay fees or provide personal data.
5. Fraud of charity and fundrara – The criminals pretend to represent charities, asking for donations to false causes that never reach the recipients.
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Warning signs
To identify possible fraud, be wary of too good promises to be true. Burlons use emotional stories and create a sense of urgency to manipulate the victim. Emails with unknown grammatical errors should also be seen with caution.
Avoid providing personal or financial information to strangers, especially if you are pressured to act quickly. Always check the identity of those who contact it through official sources and do not transfer money without confirming the recipient’s legitimacy.
How to protect
- Use updated security software To block fraudulent messages.
- Use safe passwords and different for each account.
- Distribute urgent messages and unrealistic promises.
- Check the identity of those who contact it through a means of official contact.
- Inquire about new fraud and keep up to date on cybersecurity issues.
The future of online fraud
According to, these online frauds will continue to evolve, adapting to new technologies to become harder to detect. Criminals are increasingly exploring artificial intelligence to create highly convincing false messages and profiles, making it more difficult for victims to distinguish what is real than fraud.
Data manipulation and use of advanced techniques, such as deepfakes and customization algorithms, will allow the burns to create more personalized approaches, increasing the likelihood of scheme success. This evolution means that fraud in Portugal and the rest of the world will be increasingly sophisticated and difficult to identify.
The best defense is to stay informed about new forms of fraud and adopt good digital safety practices. To distrust too much of offerings, always confirm the identity of those who contact you and avoid sharing personal information are essential steps to avoid falling into these traps.
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