by Alain Filotto | Sep 26, 2024 | Cybersecurity, General Topic
Yes I finally got scammed! I wanted to. I’ve been wanting to see how these scams work and obviously wanted to make a blog about it. So I decided to answer one of those annoying text messages we all get. Below is what happened over last weekend.
First of all I get this text message, now I got a lot of crap messages, but this one was addressed to me. They knew my first name so I was curious about that. It came in on the telegram application which I don’t use a lot but as far as I knew, they can’t tell what your name is. I thought they were just sending messages to random numbers.
Now obviously there’s a problem with this account because “Claire Wilson” says her name is Zelmira… there’s your first clue that it’s a scam. Let’s continue…
She says she got my name from my profile but I’m not sure that’s true. Actually my name and phone number are all over my website so there’s probably some tools that they have which made the connection. Whatever. She continues by basically saying that if I follow certain Instagram pages they will pay me. I’ve heard that this actually is possible so I wasn’t 100% sure it was a scam at that point. I’ve had people contact me asking me if I want to pay to promote my business and have people follow my Instagram page. So it is possible. She asks me to follow Tim Hortons on Instagram. I can’t imagine Tim Hortons would pay people to have them follow their account but let’s see where this goes.
I follow TH and that makes her happy! Then she puts me in touch with someone else, the “receptionist”.
The receptionist named “Safira” asks me to follow another page and send her a screenshot, which I do.
Then she asks me to create an account with “Newton Crypto Wallet”. I have never heard of them so I looked it up and it’s a real online wallet. Now I’m really curious how they’re gonna scam me!
She says they’re going to send me $15 U.S. dollars for following 2 pages. I was quite certain it was bullshit and there’s no way they’re gonna send me money. But they did! $20 Canadian. I really was surprised. But considering how much money they make from scams, that is a small amount for them.
So long story short they send me an invite to a group chat where they will post “missions” every day. You have to do 25 missions and you have to do them in order to get your money. If you do all the missions you will get $500 US everyday which is not bad for following Instagram pages. Well that’s what I thought it was. Obviously there’s a scam there otherwise i wouldn’t be writing a blog about it! So on the next day I start with the first mission which is to follow a page on Instagram. Easy enough. Now the second mission is more complicated…
I was kinda glad that the scam starts at mission 2 because I was worried about having to follow a bunch of pages all day. I mean if there’s 25 missions in 12 hours that means you have to check the group chat every half hour or so. Booooring! Again long story short, they want me to send money to “prop up” the crypto market and then I will make money back with a Commission. Basically if I send $80 they will send me $120 back and I make $40. As a side-note, manipulating markets is illegal. So they are asking me to break the law.
There’s no way I’m sending any money but I figured I could send them the $15 they sent me and then I don’t lose anything. But of course the minimum is 80… And finally, the scam is revealed! It’s possible they would have sent me the $120 with commission to keep me interested. And later get me to send more money. I say some people in the chat sending $500 or more. Those were probably all in on the scam. After I told her who I really was and that I was planning to write a blog about the scam she removed me from the group chat. LOL
In the end I was happy with myself. I got $15 from the scammers! But… the final kick in the pants is that I tried to transfer the $15 US they sent me to my Coinsquare account (where I do have some crypto). They wanted to charge me $12 to transfer! I would only get $3… WTF? Anyway I did learn a lot and I am sharing. Be careful out there and do not trust anyone who randomly contacts you. Remember, there is no easy money on the internet.
by Alain Filotto | Feb 19, 2024 | Cybersecurity, General Topic
Auto theft is up 30-50% in 2023 depending on where you live. Why is this happening? This report features the legendary Samy Kamkar. He is one of the original “white hat” hackers. In his words, “all cars use the same wireless technology and are essentially computers on wheels”. Thieves have figures out how to “hack” these computers. Did you know you can put your car keys in an “RF Faraday bag” when you get home? I use these to transport mobile devices and secure them against outside interference. Check out these for sale on Amazon:
Article here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/marketplace-electronic-car-theft-1.3515106
Video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ARrlhlQiFzM&t=682s
Why do this? Thieves can use a “relay” close to your front door and unlock your car in the driveway using your key fob in your house!
If you have any questions or want to book a free consultation, contact me on LinkedIn. It is the best place to reach me.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alain-filotto
by Alain Filotto | Feb 6, 2024 | Cybersecurity, General Topic
This is a great story and they were able to interview an actual romantic #scam fraudster! Spoiler alert, he’s in Nigeria. I found it very interesting to hear about his reasoning. One thing I learned in my years of policing is that everyone has an excuse for the crimes they commit, everyone… even murderers. #fraud
The article is here: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/go-public-romance-scams-1.7088334
And the video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5C5CCJ26a9E
If you have any questions or want to book a free consultation, contact me on LinkedIn. It is the best place to reach me.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alain-filotto
by Alain Filotto | Feb 2, 2024 | Cybersecurity
On Monday January 22, 2024 I was interviewed by Bryn Griffiths LIVE on 630 CHED in Edmonton! I discussed artificial intelligence and AI powered disinformation and how it can impact elections in Canada (and the world). You can listen to the audio here (only 10 mins). I received some great feedback so thanks everyone!
If you have any questions or want to book a free consultation, contact me on LinkedIn. It is the best place to reach me.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alain-filotto
by Alain Filotto | Jan 3, 2024 | Cybersecurity, Forensics, General Topic
Happy new year everyone! For Christmas I got myself a new phone. The screen was broken on my old one and it was cheaper to get a new one than to fix it! Such is life in the modern world. I’m pretty cheap when it comes to phones, I always buy last year’s model on Craigslist. I get the phone new of course, usually Christmas gifts people don’t want or need. I got me a nice Samsung S22 (don’t forget to reset the phone to factory settings). Anyway, I’m always amazed at all the notifications being pushed out by ALL the apps. So I spent a good hour turning everything off and I thought it would make a good blog. I turn off almost all of the notifications on my phone, even LinkedIn. Our mobile devices have become indispensable tools, seamlessly integrating into every aspect of our lives. Over the last 30 years I’ve witnessed the evolution of technology and its impact on society and people. One of the significant challenges we face today is the incessant stream of notifications that permeate our mobile devices, disrupting daily life, hampering productivity, and even affecting the health of our children. In the words of comedian Chris Rock in his great video about dealing with the police, “Turn that shit off”!
The Constant Buzz:
Our smartphones have become a constant companion, alerting us to every message, email, social media update, and news flash. While notifications were initially designed to keep us informed, they have now become a double-edged sword, disrupting the flow of our daily lives. I’m mostly worried about the impact this has on kids. Have you seen the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma? Go watch it now! No wait, finish reading my blog first:)
Interrupted Productivity:
For those of us who rely on concentration and focus in our work, the barrage of notifications poses a serious threat to productivity. Whether you’re in a crucial meeting, working on a complex task, or trying to unwind after a long day, constant interruptions can significantly hinder your ability to perform at your best. This isn’t just a matter of inconvenience; it’s a productivity crisis that affects individuals across various professions. Remember this, notifications are like someone else trying to use YOUR time.
Children’s Health at Stake:
The detrimental effects of mobile notifications extend beyond the realm of adults and into the world of children’s health. With the rise of smartphones and tablets as babysitters, children are increasingly exposed to the same flood of notifications that adults contend with. Studies have shown that excessive screen time, coupled with constant interruptions, can lead to issues such as sleep disturbances, attention deficits, and even behavioural problems in children. My kids were upset with me as I did not let them have their phones at bedtime. But it was for best interest.
Balancing Act:
I understand the importance of staying connected in an increasingly digital world. However, it is crucial to strike a balance between leveraging technology and being consumed by it. Here are some practical tips for mitigating the negative effects of mobile notifications:
1. **Customize your notification settings:** Take control of your device by customizing notification settings. Prioritize essential alerts and silence unnecessary ones during specific hours.
2. **Schedule notification breaks:** Designate specific times during the day to check and respond to notifications. This allows you to maintain focus during work or quality time with family.
3. **Establish tech-free zones:** Create designated areas or times in your home where mobile devices are off-limits. This promotes healthier communication, fosters relationships, and prevents constant distraction.
4. **Parental controls:** Implement parental controls on devices used by children to limit screen time and exposure to potentially disruptive notifications.
Conclusion:
As we navigate the digital landscape, it’s crucial to be aware of the impact that mobile notifications can have on our daily lives, productivity, and the well-being of our children. Striking a balance between staying connected and maintaining a healthy, focused life is key. I encourage individuals and families to adopt mindful technology usage to ensure a harmonious and productive existence in our digital age.
If you have any questions or want to book a free consultation, contact me on LinkedIn. It is the best place to reach me.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alain-filotto
by Alain Filotto | Nov 16, 2023 | Cybersecurity, Forensics, General Topic
After an amazing 20 years in business, TCS Forensics Ltd. will be ceasing operations at the end of this month. I have been authorized to make the announcement. I want to wish Keith Perrin the absolute best retirement 🍻! You deserve it my friend. You are one of the hardest-working persons I know. I worked with Keith after I retired from the RCMP and I consider him to be a mentor. I would not be where I am without him.
I am also proud to announce that ALPHAFOX Forensics Ltd. 🦊 has been designated as a point of contact for all clients who currently have an open case with TCS or require any #digitalforensics work in the future. Please contact me and I will ensure your case is well looked after and that the transition is very smooth. #dfir #lawyers #legalcase #mobileforensics #expertwitness
If you have any questions or want to book a free consultation, contact me on LinkedIn. It is the best place to reach me.
https://www.linkedin.com/in/alain-filotto
