Aberdeenshire Victim Falls Victim To Anydesk Scam - Stay Skeptical

24th November 2023

An Aberdeenshire resident has this week fallen victim to a fraud which utilised the AnyDesk app.

A male with a London accent phoned the victim stating he was from her bank. He advised her that there was suspected fraudulent activity on her account and asked her if she had spent £800 somewhere in Newcastle and £400 in Norwich.

The victim confirmed that she had not. This is a well-known tactic used by criminals to make their victims panic into believing their account has been compromised.

The suspect then asked the victim to install AnyDesk onto their computer which allowed him access to her account. The victim lost a four figure sum before realising she had been scammed.

AnyDesk is a legitimate remote access software. However, scammers can try to misuse AnyDesk (or any other remote access software) to connect to your computer and steal data, passwords and access your bank accounts.

To avoid becoming a victim of cybercrime never give anyone you don't know access to your devices and never share online banking login details or passwords. If someone you don't know is asking to access any of your devices and wants you to download specific software, the chances are it is a scam.

STAY SCEPTICAL

Never trust a phone call you weren’t expecting.

Don’t trust the ‘help’ offered that you did not request.

The bank or police will never ask you to download software over the phone.

If you feel uncomfortable or insecure stop and by hang up.

The attached leaflet gives advice on how to stay safe online and over the phone.

This messaging system is not for reporting crime as responses are not monitored 24/7. If you have time-critical information regarding the content of the above message, or if you wish to report any other non-urgent matter, please call 101. In an emergency, call 999.

Police Scotland's North East Division covers rural and urban areas in Moray, Aberdeenshire and Aberdeen City. The division has five territorial command areas which have their own dedicated Area Commander, who is responsible for the daily policing function. Each command area is served by a number of community policing teams whose activities are built around the needs of the local community.

These teams respond to local calls and look for long term solutions to key issues. They are assisted by the division's Crime Reduction Unit who deliver against Force and local priorities in a number of areas, including physical and social crime prevention, supporting and enhancing community engagement and creating and sustaining strong and effective partnership working.

Issued by
Michael Urquhart
(Police Scotland, PC, A Div - North East Crime Reduction Team)