The State Police has taken part in another international operation led by EUROPOL, to crack down on criminal activity in the field of cybercrime. 

Suela Bonjaku, specialist at the Sector for Investigation of Computer Crimes, in a press statement gave details about this operation, focusing on cybercrime, and the launch of the awareness campaign Sell Safe. 

As a result of the operation, 28 people were arrested in the participating countries on suspicion of fraudulent transactions. Following this international operation, all participating countries will promote the campaign using the hashtag #SellSafe, to help their citizens understand the risks of fraud during online commerce. 

Full statement of police: 

The State Police took part in another international operation led by EUROPOL, to crack down on criminal activity in the field of cybercrime. Law enforcement authorities from participating countries: Albania, Austria, Belgium, Colombia, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Georgia, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Poland, Portugal, Slovenia, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland and the United States of America, supported by EUROPOL and the Traders Risk Council, joined forces in a coordinated action against cyber fraud, conducting a large-scale operation from 1 October to 31 October as part of the Trade Action Electronics 2021. 

The modus operandi of this criminal activity involved the use of several mobile phone applications, which connected to banks to make illegal transfers and purchases. As a result of the operation, 28 people were arrested in the participating countries on suspicion of fraudulent transactions. Following this international operation, all participating countries will promote the campaign using the hashtag #SellSafe, to help their citizens understand the risks of fraud while trading online. 

Following the success of the 2020 awareness campaign, to highlight the key ways to combat online fraud, EUROPOL, together with the Trade Risk Council and participating countries, is launching today the #SellSafe - Safe Selling campaign, as part of its Action Network Trade 2021. The aim of the campaign is to make e-commerce more secure by promoting secure online shopping methods and helping new merchants open their first online store, avoiding the risk of cyber attacks. 

Participating countries will promote the campaign through social media channels using the hashtag #SellSafe, to help their citizens understand the risks of e-commerce fraud. As part of the awareness campaign #SellSafe - safe sale, in order to protect citizens, the State Police requires citizens to be careful by applying some simple rules, but necessary for their safety in the network. 

Here's how to protect yourself when selling products online from scammers online: 

- Make sure all your employees are aware of fraud issues affecting online stores; 
-Stay up to date on the types of online payment fraud that affect these types of businesses and make sure you have the tools available to prevent them. The security institutions, but also the banks with which you cooperate will have details on the types of payment fraud in the network. Contact them! 
- Know your customers, so that you can verify their payments. 

Tips for online shoppers: 

- Never e-mail your card number, PIN or any other card information; 
- Never send money to someone you do not know; 
- Always save all documents related to your online purchases; 
- If you are not buying anything, do not present your card details; 

Dear citizens, you should be careful when surfing the Internet, as criminal groups are constantly adapting their methods of Internet fraud, taking advantage of you and anyone else who will not show proper care. Since the beginning of the pandemic, many businesses have had to log on to the network to continue their operations. This has led many citizens to use the network services several times in short periods and more and more purchases are being made in this form, which has increased the possibility of attacks by cyber criminals. 

Be constantly informed about new ways of network fraud, as cybercriminals are constantly changing their forms of action. 
The State Police, always being available, invites citizens to contact the Cybercrime Investigation Unit for any information they may need, problematic or denunciation at the e-mail address: CC@asp.gov.al, at of phone 0694155552, as well as in Whatsapp applications, viber etc.