Criminals Intend to Misappropriate Geolocation Data from Minors
Scammers are deceptively luring children into disclosing their locations, subsequently issuing coercive rhetoric and manipulating them under the pretext of aiding terrorism. This alarming trend has seen a surge, with psychological manipulation following the disclosure of the location.
These illicit activities have come to light through the report of Ilya Yeliasov, a senior officer with the Information and Communication Technology Crime Organization (UBK) of the Russian MVD. According to Yeliasov, scammers target young individuals in dating chat rooms or other digital platforms, disguising their identities behind false pretenses. Once they establish contact, one of the the communicators requests the location, either to discover the address or the school's whereabouts. Upon receiving the child's coordinates, they begin issuing threats, asserting that they have supplied the school's location to a terrorist organization or foreign intelligence. Under threat of criminal charges for aiding geopolitical adversaries in weapon targeting, the MVD representative elaborated.
Rattled by fear, the child often responds to the scammers willingly, disclosing further information. As Yeliasov noted, these cases are not uncommon.
In today's digital landscape, safeguarding children from online scams requiring disclosure of location demands a coordinated effort involving education, vigilance, and technology. To protect children, adopt the following strategies:
- Educate children about online scams and the tactics scammers employ, such as fear and urgency manipulation.
- Promote an open dialog between children and trusted adults to discuss any suspicious or threatening online interactions.
- Teach children how to identify phishing attempts, fake profiles, and other online threats.
Implementing safety measures like utilizing parental control software, limiting online activities, protecting personal information, and creating a code word for verification can also help safeguard your children against such threats.
Understanding local laws and regulations on children's online privacy and safety, such as the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA), and considering cyber insurance that covers online safety risks are important supporting measures.
With diligence and informed action, the risks of children falling prey to online location scams manufacturing terrorism charges can be significantly reduced.
Cybersecurity measures must be implemented to protect children from digital scammers who disguise themselves and request locations in chat rooms, threatening terrorist activities or geopolitical crimes. Technology can play a significant role in safeguarding children by offering parental control software, educational resources on online scams, and tools for identifying phishing attempts. Understanding local regulations like COPPA and considering cyber insurance can further support this effort.
