Latest News and Blog Updates

Alert: US Fraudsters are Calling UK Victims Regarding FBI Arrest Warrants

Posted by admin In Fraud 0 comment

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) has received several reports of victims that are phoned and played automated threatening messages claiming to be from the FBI.

The NFIB have said victims are either phoned or left the automated message on their phone.

The scam messages claim the USA’s FBI has an arrest warrant in the victim’s name (even though the victims name is never mentioned and calls are received in the UK).

The victim is then told to contact the telephone number 3237 592 099 to stop the warrant being executed. Many of the reports state the victims need to do this by a certain time.

Linked to a fake law firm

Most reports state that the phone number is for a law firm called Walsh & Peters LLP where the victim then has to ask for David Williams in order for the warrant to be stopped.

Other alternative law firms are mentioned in some reports such as Walter & Peters, Schwartz & Peters and Lodge & Peters.

Some victims that have reported to Action Fraud have attempted to contact the suspect number but the call does not appear to connect, this could potentially be because victims are not putting the internationally dialling code in front of the suspect number.

Open source research reveals the suspect phone number is based in Los Angeles, California.

If you receive one of these messages, ignore it, do not call the number and report to Action Fraud

http://scc.newsweaver.co.uk/trading-standards/60lqjy56yvv?a=2&p=47837332&t=27965660

The Device that Can Help Block Wireless Surveillance

Posted by admin In Computer Security 0 comment

A team of artists, technologists and designers in Germany have created a device which they believe can block wireless surveillance.

The gadget, no bigger than a laptop charger that plugs into a wall and patrols the local Wi-Fi network for connected Google Glass devices, along with other potential surveillance gadgets like Google Dropcams, Wi-Fi-enabled drone copters, and certain wireless microphones. When it detects one of those devices, it can be programmed to flash an alert with an LED light, play a sound through connected speakers, and even ping the Cyborg Unplug owner’s smartphone through an Android app, as well as silently booting those potential spy devices from the network.

The Cyborg Unplug will be offered in two versions: A cheaper version called “Little Snipper” equipped with only an LED blinker alert and higher-end version, dubbed “the Axe,” will also include the Android app, an audio connection to any nearby speakers for an audible beeping alert, and a 5G Wi-Fi connection often used by businesses as well as the more common 2.4G connection.

Cutting the Wi-Fi uplink of surveillance gadgets will not prevent snooping if the data are stored locally on the device. In fact, Cyborg Unplug wouldn’t even detect any Glass user who doesn’t attempt to connect to Wi-Fi. However, it would at least make it more difficult to surreptitiously stream video or images to a remote location without leaving evidence on the snoop’s local device. “A casino owner, for instance, might catch someone with some device and take it off them, but could never prove they were recording because they were streaming to somewhere else,” Oliver says.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29801921

£3m Boost for City of London IP Crime Unit

Posted by admin In Counterfeit Clothing and Merchandise 0 comment

The fight against digital piracy and counterfeit goods was today (23 October 2014) boosted by £3 million of new government funding to the City of London Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit (PIPCU).

Minister for Intellectual Property (IP), Baroness Neville-Rolfe announced the government’s funding commitment to the national crime unit at the Anti Counterfeiting Group Conference in London. The unit has now been operating for 1 year and this new funding will cover the next 2 years, up to 2017.

Baroness Neville-Rolfe said “We’ve seen significant success in PIPCU’s first year of operation. This extra support will help the unit to build on this impressive record in the fight against intellectual property crime, which costs the UK at least £1.3 billion a year in lost profits and taxes”.

City of London Police Commander Steve Head, who is the Police National Coordinator for Economic Crime, said “The government committing to fund the Police Intellectual Property Crime Unit until 2017 is fantastic news for the City of London Police and the creative industries, and very bad news for those that seek to make capital through intellectual property crime. Since launching a year ago, PIPCU has quickly established itself as an integral part of the national response to a problem that is costing the UK more than a billion pounds a year. Much of this success is down to PIPCU moving away from traditional policing methods and embracing new and innovative tactics, to disrupt and dismantle criminal networks responsible for causing huge damages to legitimate businesses”.

Since its launch in September 2013, PIPCU has delivered significant results. It has:

investigated more than £29 million worth of IP crime and has suspended 2,359 internet domain names
seized more than £1.29 million worth of suspected fake goods
diverted more than 5 million visits from copyright infringing sites to the PIPCU domain suspension page
set up Operation Creative, a ground-breaking initiative designed to disrupt and prevent websites from providing unauthorised access to copyrighted content, and the Infringing Website List

The recent IP Crime Group Report, detailing all UK enforcement activity between 2013 and 2014, highlights innovative initiatives used by PIPCU to dismantle and disrupt criminal activity.

Beware of Malicious Flashlight Apps

Posted by admin In Online Security 0 comment

SnoopWall, a US counterveillance software company released a threat assessment report regarding the top 10 Flashlight/Torch apps in the Google Play Store, and every one of them can potentially be used maliciously.

Flashlights are simple apps that use your mobile phone screen as a torch. They are so simple that the size of the app should be kilobytes in size. If the app you are about to download and install is several megabytes, stop now as it is almost certainly malicious. If you have already downloaded it then uninstall it immediately and perform a hard reset on your phone after you have backed up important data. Seek expert advice if you are unsure about what to do.

Click on the link below for more information:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/Q8xz8xKEFvU

Read the US FTC (Federal Trade Commission) press release:

http://www.ftc.gov/news-events/press-releases/2014/04/ftc-approves-final-order-settling-charges-against-flashlight-app

Emma Watson Fake Nude Videos Spreading Malware on Facebook

Posted by admin In Online Security 0 comment

Antivirus solutions provider Bitdefender has warned that fake videos spreading across Facebook are leading to malware infections rather than the promised content.

The new Facebook scam takes advantage of Emma Watson’s growing popularity, using the actress as bait. It starts with a Facebook comment promising to reveal private or leaked videos of the celebrity.

The comments are automatically posted by users already infected with the malware. Like many Facebook scams, victims end up as marketers for the fraudsters.

Copycat website

If you click on the malicious links, you are redirected to a YouTube copycat website. You are then asked to update your Flash Player, because an error allegedly prevents you from viewing it immediately.

To make the scam seem more credible, the fake YouTube account uses the Anonymous ‘Guy Fawkes’ mask, which is used by the hacking group often claiming celebrity video leaks.

Malware changes browser settings

Besides stealing phone numbers through premium SMS scams, the malware disguised as a Flash Player update also changes your browser settings not allowing you to see your list of extensions and Facebook activity and settings anymore.

You can get malware on Facebook from things like:

Trying to watch a “shocking video” from a post.
Visiting a website that claims to offer special features on Facebook.
Downloading a browser add-on that claims to do something that’s too good to be true.

In 2012 Watson held the number one spot in MacAfee’s annual “Most Dangerous Cyber Celebrity”.

Company Director Sold Fake One Direction Goods

Posted by admin In Counterfeit Clothing and Merchandise 0 comment

This case was brought to court following an initial investigation by Surelock.

A female director of a company based in a village near Bristol has been given a suspended prison sentence for counterfeiting offences.

Lorraine Eyre was given eight months in prison, suspended for two years at Bristol Crown Court after previously pleaded guilty to 18 charges relating to possessing and selling counterfeit clothing, bags, headwear and toys.

At the time the offences took place, Eyre was running a business called Tacky.Me.Uk Limited from premises at Old Station Yard, Wotton Road, Charfield, the court heard.

The company mostly traded online and focused heavily on selling merchandise with emerging and cult fashion brands, as well as T-shirts featuring bands and pop artists, including Justin Bieber and One Direction, pictured above.

The T-shirts and sweatshirts were sold online around the world, making thousands of pounds for the business during a 19-month period between August 2011 and March 2013.It is estimated the company made a profit of £50,000 during the time of the offences.

Trading standards officers took on the case after receiving complaints.

Senior Fair Trade Officer Neil Derrick said: “Following a raid on the business premises and Eyre’s home in January 2013, we brought charges under the Trade Marks Act 1994, relating to the misuse of brands.

“These included well-known brands such as Boy London and Obey and featured pop acts including One Direction, JLS and Justin Bieber.”

Eyre was sentenced for her part in the offences along with the company itself, which was fined a nominal £40 as it no longer trades.

A confiscation order for £50,000 was also made against Eyre.

This must be paid within six months or Eyre will be liable to an 18-month prison sentence in default.

An order was also made for £14,000 in prosecution costs to be paid within six months. Clothing, equipment and computers will also be forfeited

http://www.bristolpost.co.uk/Company-director-sold-fake-Direction-goods/story-23146474-detail/story.html

UK Terror Alert: Police Warned to be Vigilant after Increase in Threat Level

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National threat level is at “severe” meaning a terrorist attack is “highly likely

Britain’s 130,000 police officers were urged to be “vigilant for their personal safety” after counter-terror chiefs warned the threat level against them had increased in the past 24 hours.

Mark Rowley, the national lead for counter-terrorism at the Association of Chief Police Officers, refused to discuss specific intelligence but confirmed the threat level against detectives and support staff up and down the country had been “heightened”.

Police and the intelligence agencies are working around the clock to track hundreds of suspected British jihadists as they return from fighting with Islamic State (Isis) militants in Syria and Iraq.

Assistant Commissioner Rowley said: “The threat level to police officers and staff has been heightened, but we are used to confronting risk and danger; this is what we do on a daily basis, and we are well trained.

“We are informing our officers and staff of the heightened risk and reminding them to remain vigilant and alert to any possible dangers. We are asking them to follow existing policies and good practice. Measures are being put in place to increase the vigilance of officers and staff.

“You will see no major changes in the way we continue to police the UK and engage with our communities – our emphasis is on vigilance.”

In August Theresa May, the Home Secretary, announced the national threat level had increased from “substantial” to “severe”, meaning a terrorist attack is “highly likely”.

Tensions are running particularly high since several Western hostages – including two British men, David Haines and Alan Henning – were murdered by Isis militants.

On Tuesday, Scotland Yard arrested five people during an investigation into a suspected terror plot targeting London.

Friends of those arrested – three of whom attended Westminster City School – have issued messages of support on Twitter proclaiming their innocence

Tarik Hassane, 21, a medical student known as “The Surgeon”; Gusai Abuzeid, 21; and Rawan Kheder, 20, were seized what security sources described as an intelligence-led operation, including months of surveillance.

Tonight, it emerged that a Baikal handgun, ammunition and silencer were recovered some weeks ago during a raid in north-west London involving detectives from the Trident anti-gang squad.

Friends of one of the men arrested told the London Evening Standard he had until recently lived with his family in north London. Neighbours described him as a “normal boy with loads of friends. It would be a big shock if he has done anything wrong.”

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/uk-terror-threat-police-put-on-special-terror-alert-for-their-own-safety-9788497.html

Devices Being Remotely Wiped in Police Custody

Posted by admin In Fraud, General 0 comment

All the data on some of the tablets and phones seized as evidence is being wiped out, remotely, while they are in police custody, the BBC has learned.

Cambridgeshire, Derbyshire, Nottingham and Durham police all told BBC News handsets had been remotely “wiped”.

And Dorset police said this had happened to six of the seized devices it had in custody, within one year.

The technology used was designed to allow owners to remove sensitive data from their phones if they are stolen.

“If a device has a signal, in theory it is possible to wipe it remotely,” said Ken Munro, a digital forensics expert with Pen Test Partners.

Romance fraud

A spokeswoman for Dorset police told the BBC: “There were six incidents, but we don’t know how people wiped them.

“We have cases where phones get seized, and they are not necessarily taken from an arrested person – but we don’t know the details of these cases as there is not a reason to keep records of this,” she added.

A spokeswoman for Derbyshire police confirmed that the force had had one incident of a device being remotely wiped while in police custody.

“We can’t share many details about it, but the case concerned romance fraud, and a phone involved with the investigation was remotely wiped,” she said.

“It did not impact upon the investigation, and we went on to secure a conviction,” she added.

Meanwhile Cleveland police told the BBC that it too had had a case of a phone that had been wiped but it was not clear “whether it was wiped prior to coming into police hands”.

Asked whether the police felt that the issue had damaged their investigation, the spokeswoman said: “We don’t know because we don’t know what was on the phone.”

Other police forces affected by the issue include:

Cambridgeshire – one incident between August 2013 and August 2014
Durham – one incident during the same period
Nottingham – one incident

Microwave help

Mr Munro, who analyses hundreds of laptops, tablets, phones and other devices for corporate clients, said: “When we seize a device for digital forensics, we put it immediately into a radio-frequency shielded bag, which prevents any signals from getting through.

“If we can’t get to the scene within an hour, we tell the client to pop it in a microwave oven.

“The microwave is reasonably effective as a shield against mobile or tablet signals – just don’t turn it on.”

SecureDrives, which develops hard drives for the military, is releasing one next year that can be physically destroyed just by sending a text message.

The hard drive -which will cost more than £1,000 – is also immune to the radio-frequency blocking bags.

“The hard drive is constantly looking for GSM [Global System for Mobile Communications] signals, if it is starved of them it it would destroy itself. It would see such a bag as a threat,” said James Little, head of sales at SecureDrives.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-29464889

Thousands Visit Wembley Market on its First Day

Posted by admin In Counterfeit Clothing and Merchandise 0 comment

Around 8,000 people flocked to the new Wembley Market (</p><br />
<p>Photo: Chris Winter)

( Photo: Chris Winter)

Around 8,000 people flocked to the new Wembley Market on its first day of Sunday trading yesterday.

Shoppers enjoyed the wares on offer at the 210 stalls following the re-opening of the popular trading place which was axed by developers Quintain last year due to the volume of fake goods for sale after 25 years.

The new market promises to be free of counterfeit goods in light of its previous reputation with its new operators signed a code of practice with Brent and Harrow Trading Standards Service.

Mark Betts, associate headteacher of St Joseph’s Junior School in Wembley, said: “I’ve been living in Wembley now for almost 24 years and I’ve seen been a huge number of changes in the area.

“Wembley Park is becoming a real hub and it’s really contributing to the regeneration and development of the area.

“People have a reason to come to Wembley again and that revitalisation is really exciting, it’s making a big difference to the community.”

All stallholders went through a vetting process where they were assessed to ensure the goods they have for sale are genuine, safe and of the highest quality.

James Saunders, CEO of Quintain said: “Local people clearly welcomed the range of stalls and the market was busy from the moment it opened.

“The food offering was particularly delicious and diverse; from Peruvian to Indian street food, and from organic honey to tempting cakes.

“Other stalls included hand-made felt toys, clothes and general household goods. We want to bring new stall holders to site, as well as make space for traditional Wembley market traders and create a market that is a hub for the local community.”

The new market will take place every Sunday except when there is a major event at the Stadium.

Until the end of the year the market will be open from 10am and 4pm on October 12 and 19, November 2, 16 and 30, and every Sunday in December.

If you are interested in becoming a stall holder visit www.wembleypark.com and fill out an application form

http://www.kilburntimes.co.uk/news/thousands_visit_wembley_market_on_its_first_day_1_3796814

Apps Open International Door to Counterfeit Sellers

Posted by admin In Counterfeit Clothing and Merchandise 0 comment

First there was the Internet. Then eBay. Then Facebook. Now apps are giving international companies and trading standards officers a run for their money by helping traders in counterfeit goods hawk their wares.

This is how it works. The app owner allows customers to download an app for free from Apple. As soon as the customer registers, they can start selling new or used goods by simply taking a photo of the item. The items link to other social media sites such as Facebook or Twitter allowing the user to directly market to friends and acquaintances via established networks. Users can also sell the item to hundreds and thousands of people already using the app. This method of selling is fast, easy and creating problems for brands, and trade bodies such as the Anti-Counterfeiting Group (ACG), are working closely with companies and trading standards to stop the sale of counterfeit goods.

‘There are a couple of frustrations,’ said Graham Mogg, intelligence coordinator at the ACG. ‘The sites are very easy to join and it’s very easy to set up a trader account without divulging your true identity. Some companies running these apps often hide behind flimsy policies that say they won’t tolerate the sale of counterfeit goods and will remove products if a rights holder contacts them, but they do not police their own site and remove items that are obviously fake.’

And — most importantly — unlike selling counterfeits from the back of a boot, the app owners give people around the world immediate access to counterfeit goods.

‘The products are sold globally,’ Mogg said. ‘This gives counterfeiters a massive market. There are a lot of legitimate products on these apps too so there’s no reason for consumers to believe that they’re buying counterfeit goods especially when the cost is attractive and people think they’re getting a bargain.’

This type of trading activity came to ACG’s attention via social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook 18 months ago. Mogg acknowledges that most of the companies will remove the counterfeit goods that are for sale once they’ve been spotted. ‘Unfortunately, when it comes to identifying counterfeits they are reactive rather than proactive, often arguing that they don’t have the capacity to monitor counterfeit goods proactively.’

‘We would like them to work with our members to establish better reporting and identification methods,’ Mogg said. ‘For example, it could link to Brand-i which is supported by ACG members and other brands, letting users look up the genuine source of the product. It seems like it would be quite easy for them to establish but they don’t seem motivated at the moment to engage in proactive work.’

Brand-i is a TSI-run site that allows consumers to see check reputable suppliers of name brand items. For more information on Brand-i, click here

https://tradingstandardsinstitute.wordpress.com/2014/10/07/apps-open-international-door-to-counterfeit-sellers/

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