Fraudsters Exploit War in Gaza to Commit Fraud
Some people in Israel are taking advantage of the ongoing war in Gaza to commit fraud. An investigation by the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper uncovered this shocking truth. These fraudsters are using tactics like blackmailing the elderly and impersonating government agencies to steal money and personal information.
New Types of Fraud
A police investigator named Sergeant Shir Bar recently received complaints about types of fraud she had never encountered before. One example is the sale of CDs for kidnapped people through WhatsApp groups. The fraudsters promise to transfer money to the families of the kidnapped, but the money disappears and the CDs never arrive.
Difficult Investigation
Captain Barr explained that it was not easy to catch these fraudsters. They used sophisticated methods to carry out their crimes, making the investigation very complicated.
Cynical Exploitation of War
This case is just the tip of the iceberg. The newspaper discovered a phenomenon where fraudsters are cynically exploiting the war to deceive citizens. They impersonate government agencies, banks, and even the headquarters of the kidnappers. They pretend to be relatives of kidnapped people and request donations, which they then steal.
Other Cases
There are also cases where fraudsters pretend to be evacuees from war-affected areas and ask for financial assistance on social media. Citizens who wanted to help ended up falling into the trap and losing money.
Targeting the Elderly
Some fraudsters target elderly people who cannot speak Hebrew. They pretend to be police investigators and threaten the elderly with being on a list of people supporting terrorism. They manage to steal large sums of money from these vulnerable individuals.
Theft of Property
Another shocking crime is the theft of property from the homes of settlers in the Gaza Strip and the families of the dead and kidnapped. Criminals have been arrested for stealing vehicles from displaced families during the war.
Fraud and Data
Even the mayor of Rishon Lezion, Raz Kenstelich, fell victim to fraud. Someone impersonated him and sent a letter to residents, promising a grant and a credit card. However, the residents who entered their data were robbed of thousands of shekels.
Rise in Fraud Cases
Knesset member Merav Cohen has been dealing with these types of fraud, especially among older citizens. She is also the head of the Special Committee for the Treatment of Holocaust Survivors. Bank and police representatives have confirmed that there has been an increase in fraudulent acts targeting Holocaust survivors and the elderly during the war.
It's disheartening to see how some people take advantage of a difficult situation to commit fraud. It's important for everyone to be aware of these scams and to protect themselves and their loved ones from falling victim to fraudsters.
