The Scam Fighter of the Year Awards are organised annually by the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) together with ScamAdviser to bring recognition to exceptional individuals, organisations and tools dedicated to turning the tide on scams. Soon after we opened nominations for the Awards last month, hundreds of names poured in for each of the three categories - Best Scam Fighting Individual, Best Scam Fighting Organization and Best Scam Fighting Tool. After much deliberation, the judges have cast their votes and we are now ready to announce the winners of the Scam Fighter of the Year Awards! This year’s winners of the Scam Fighter of the Year Awards are: |
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Best Scam Fighting Organisation Award Tool: BBB Scam TrackerThe winner in the Best Scam Fighting Tool category is BBB Scam Tracker, a free and accessible tool developed by the Better Business Bureau. This tool empowers users to report suspected scams, fostering a community-driven platform where individuals can share their experiences and warn others about potential cons. The unique role of BBB Scam Tracker in helping people avoid millions of dollars in potential losses showcases its impact in reaching and assisting a broad audience. This award recognizes the tool's significant contribution to the fight against scams, emphasising the power of community engagement and information-sharing in preventing financial losses. Runners-up for Best Scam Fighting Tool |
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Best Scam Fighting Organisation Award Winner: Watchlist InternetWatchlist Internet, an independent information platform based in Austria, emerged as the winner in the Best Scam Fighting Organization category. The organisation's commitment to providing useful, current and easy-to-understand information on internet scams and frauds sets it apart. Watchlist Internet serves not only Austria but the entire German-speaking region, offering valuable insights into current fraud cases and advising on protective measures. Their extensive coverage of topics, ranging from subscription traps to phishing and brand counterfeiting, underscores their comprehensive approach to combating online threats. Watchlist Internet's recognition as the best scam fighting organisation highlights the importance of awareness and education in the ongoing battle against online scams. Runners-up for Best Scam Fighting Organisation |
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Best Scam Fighting Individual Award Winner: Erin WestThe coveted title of Best Scam Fighting Individual goes to Erin West, a prosecutor with the REACT Task Force in Santa Clara County. West's exceptional work in combating high-tech crimes, particularly her success in taking down international SIM swappers and disrupting fraudulent call centres, stood out among the nominees. Her commitment to battling romance investment scammers, known as "pig butcherers," is a testament to her dedication to addressing a diverse range of sophisticated scams. West's expertise and proactive approach in the evolving landscape of high-tech financial crimes make her a true champion in the fight against digital fraud. Runners-up for Best Scam Fighting Individual The winners were chosen through a voting process by a distinguished panel of judges, each with extensive expertise in the field of scam prevention. The panel consisted ofBrook Stein (Director of Partner Marketing, Trend Micro),Jeff Kuo (CEO, Gogolook) andJayde Richmond (General Manager, National Anti-Scam Centre at ACCC) as well as previous winnersDerek Smythe (Artists Against 419 - AA419) andAyleen Charlotte (Romance Scam Speaker and Tinder Swindler Victim). In celebrating Erin West, Watchlist Internet and BBB Scam Tracker, we commend these champions in the fight against scams. Congratulations to the winners and runners-up, and may their efforts continue to make a lasting impact on the digital landscape! |
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06 Feb: GASA Working Group Meet-up with David MitnickOn the 6th of February at 16:00 CET, GASA’s Working Group Meet-up is held. We are very happy to have David Mitnick, CEO at DomainSkate deliver a talk titled "Scammers in Disguise: The Dark Side of Domain Redirects." The meeting is open to everyone and you can RSVP using the link below. |
19 Mar: Announcing the Launch of GASA BrazilIn Brazil, the amount of money lost in online fraud last year has been estimated to be 320 billion Reals or 3.2% or the Brazilian GDP. In line with GASA’s mission, we are launching the GASA Brazil Chapter. We would like to invite you to the launch of the GASA Brazil Chapter at a virtual meet-up on the 19th of March from 10:00 - 12:00 CET. The goal of the Meet-Up is to bring together all Brazilian stakeholders for the first time to discuss the scope of online fraud in Brazil and discuss which steps we can take together to turn the tide on scams. |
Watch & Listen to the Talks from Previous GASA Meet-upsBusy schedule? No problem! Catch up on the meet-ups on the GASA Spotify Channel or GASA Youtube Channel. |
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20 Mar: Phishing Symposium 2024The U.S. Chamber of Commerce will host the Phishing Symposium 2024 on the 20th of March, 2024 from 9 A.M. to 1 P.M. The symposium aims to unite global private and public sectors in tackling the pervasive issue of phishing, the foremost cybercrime reported to the FBI for the past four years. With a 65% rise in global phishing attacks in the past year, the symposium brings together experts from various fields, including cybersecurity, consumer advocacy, major corporations, tech, finance, public safety and legislators. The agenda includes panels addressing the scope of the phishing problem, its consumer impacts and cross-sectoral solutions. Topics range from defining phishing attacks and understanding their scale to exploring legislative gaps and proposing preventative measures, including the role of AI. |
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GASA's Jorij Abraham & Fellow Members to be Featured on Swedish TelevisionWe are thrilled to announce an exclusive television appearance featuring Jorij Abraham, Managing Director of GASA, alongside other esteemed GASA members. The interview, conducted by renowned investigative journalist Björn Tunbäck on SVT (Swedish Television), is scheduled to air on the 7th of February at 8 P.M. CET as part of the program "Uppdrag Granskning" (Mission Investigate). In this captivating segment, Tunbäck delves into the fascinating world of fraud detection within the banking sector, exploring how banks' own tools are being turned against them. Jorij, along with Heidi Snell, Nazia Karrim, and Rafael Fernándes, will shed light on the implications of this realisation and the imperative changes it may bring to the landscape of fraud prevention. Stay tuned on SVT and for those unable to catch it live, the program may also be available on SVT Play, their Video On Demand service, offering an invaluable opportunity to stay informed and vigilant in the ever-evolving realm of cybersecurity. |
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Common Guidance on PasswordsStronger authentication is one of the most effective and inexpensive steps that can be taken to secure organisations and people online. The signatories of Nonprofit Cyber together launched the Common Guidance on Passwords specifying simple steps that anyone can take to be more secure. Ninety nonprofit organisations have backed the guidelines, including GASA, to promote stronger security practices |
Top Alerts from ScamAdviserCricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar Warns of Deepfake ScamsSachin Tendulkar, a revered figure in Indian cricket recently took to social media to express his dismay at the rampant misuse of artificial intelligence technology. A deepfake video featuring Tendulkar, took the internet by storm as it portrayed him endorsing an online gaming app and praising it as a quick path to financial gain. In the fabricated video, Tendulkar's voice and likeness were manipulated to convey a message entirely contrary to his actual beliefs and endorsements. |
Alarming Trend: Facebook Suppressing Scam Awareness Content?In an alarming turn of events, prominent anti-scam platforms such as GASA, ScamAdviser, The Daily Scam and even Better Business Bureau (BBB) staff report that their scam awareness content is being systematically taken down by Facebook. Concerns arise about potential coordination to target anti-scam initiatives. Users and organisations are experiencing content removal en masse, raising questions about the extent of this suppression. We're launching an investigation and seeking your input. Share your experience using our Google Form, and let's determine if Facebook is indeed targeting scam awareness content. Together, we can unveil the truth behind this concerning trend. |
Here’s a quick roundup of scam news from across the world this month |
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