Eighteen people were reported in November alone, with illicit profits totaling 79,000 euros.

These are the increasingly alarming figures for online scams and telephone scams in the Cagliari area, released by the Provincial Command.

The methods used by scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated: from sales on social media or other portals, with misleading advertisements at very advantageous prices, to the increasingly popular Carabiniere scam, to attempts based on the pretence of a relative in need, in which the emotional component is exploited to pressure the victim into making immediate payments.

This is an increasingly worrying phenomenon, which is why the Carabinieri have listed a series of precautions and practical tips for protecting yourself.
- Don't trust emergencies: any request for "immediate" money—especially if accompanied by a recommendation not to hang up—is a warning sign.
- Always verify the identity of the person you are speaking to by interrupting the call and calling the official numbers of the organization or institution you claim to be involved.
- Never provide personal or banking information to strangers, nor share OTP codes, PINs, or credentials required for supposed verification or security updates.
- Don't make advance payments without adequate guarantees and be wary of overly convenient offers: often, a scam lies behind the "unmissable" deal.
- Report any concerns immediately: even an unsuccessful attempt can provide useful evidence to identify larger criminal networks.
As regards purchases on platforms that allow direct sales between private individuals
- Never abandon integrated payment and messaging systems: these features are designed to protect sellers and buyers and provide greater protection in the event of disputes.
- Carefully check the seller's reputation by consulting their feedback and transaction history.
- Be wary of prices that are too low compared to the market value: disproportion is often a sign of fraudulent activity.
- Always use guaranteed payment methods, avoiding top-ups on prepaid cards or direct transfers to the so-called seller's account.

(Unioneonline)

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