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Jul 22 - RGP Issue "CEO" Scam Warning

The Royal Gibraltar Police has observed an increase in the number of reports from local businesses being targeted by fraudsters purporting to be Chief Executive Officers, Senior Management representatives, and in some cases prominent private clients.

The Fraud Squad, one of the components of the RGP Economic Crime Unit is currently conducting two parallel investigations with the UK Metropolitan Police and with close liaison with the National Crime Agency and the National Fraud Intelligence Bureau, with both cases relating to “CEO Fraud” where victims suffering losses of between £10,000 to £40,000.

“CEO or Client Impersonation” scams usually manifest themselves in the form of emails requesting payment(s) to be made on the same day, often providing a seemingly satisfactory explanation for the urgency. Emails are often received when the ‘sender’ is away from the office, making it difficult for the recipient to check whether or not it is genuine. In addition, the fact that the email seems to originate from a senior person in the organisation or a known client can make these requests more believable (and likely to result in payment being made) than a traditional “phishing” email.

Fraudsters often achieve the “impersonation” by either hacking into a senior figure’s (or client) email account, spoofing the sender’s/client’s actual address or use one that is very similar, but almost indistinguishable. Their scam can also be aided by gathering information about your organisation and the relevant people in it through social engineering techniques or other underhand methods, or even via legitimate methods such as LinkedIn. In some cases, the email is followed by a call from the supposed payee, providing payment details.

What is the Risk?

The belief that you are making payments to suppliers or other legitimate third parties when, in fact, you are paying fraudsters impersonating a senior officer in your organisation or a known client.

Protect your business from CEO/Client impersonation fraud

  •   Be on your guard for payment requests that are unexpected or irregular, whatever the amount involved.

  •   Always check with the person you believe sent the email, however senior or busy, that the request is from them. If they’re not available and the email has requested urgency, check with one of their senior colleagues.

  •  DON’T do this by email in case someone’s account has been compromised (hacked). Instead, make a phone call, ask in person or use some other trusted communication method.

  •  If in any doubt, DON’T make the payment, however urgent it may seem or whatever the suggested outcome(s).

If you feel you may have been targeted by CEO fraud, contact our Economic Crime Officers by email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for further information.

We take this opportunity to remind the public that our “Practical guide to basic cyber safety” can be downloaded from our website at www.police.gi. Crime Prevention advice is also routinely available through our facebook page www.facebook.com/royalgibpolice or on twitter www.twitter.com/rgpolice.

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