Avoid clicking on suspicious links

Despite the ongoing efforts by authorities to combat electronic fraud, which has infiltrated various aspects of life, cybersecurity experts have raised alarms about a new type of scam. This scam involves a link that, when clicked, captures photos of the user, which are then used by scammers for blackmail.

Experts have revealed that these malicious individuals typically demand money from victims, threatening to release the photos if their demands are not met. This warning comes after the Cybercrime Department at the Ministry of Interior, in collaboration with the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA) and telecommunications companies, took action to block 392 fraudulent websites engaged in scams and deception. Among these, 52 websites were impersonating Al-Durra Company for the Recruitment of Domestic Workers. Additionally, about 662 fake local WhatsApp numbers were suspended, with 65 percent of them impersonating Al-Durra Company.

Mohammad Al-Rashidi, Chairman of the Cybersecurity Committee at the Electronic Media Union, noted that many Kuwaiti citizens have been victims of these scams, where their photos were taken without their consent. He advises the public to “avoid clicking on suspicious links and to deny any requests for camera access. It is crucial to ignore such URLs because falling for these scams can lead to complicated problems.”

Jamila Al-Otaibi, a leader in consulting, training, and digital transformation, emphasized that “with the rapid advancement in cybercrime techniques, it is essential to increase digital awareness to counter these growing threats. Suspicious links distributed through social media or emails can be tools for hackers to access photos or personal information for blackmail purposes.”

She advises everyone to avoid clicking on unknown links or those from unreliable sources. Additionally, she stresses the importance of enhancing security measures, such as enabling two-step verification on accounts, using strong and unique passwords for each account, refraining from sharing personal information online unless with trusted parties, and regularly updating security software and antivirus programs to protect devices from potential attacks. “If you become a victim of such scams, it is vital to report the incident to the appropriate authorities immediately and avoid engaging with the blackmailers,” she added.