Category Archives: Fraud

02.01.16
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January 22, 2016: Fraudulent China Citic Bank website

Press Releases
Fraudulent website related to China Citic Bank International Limited

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by China Citic Bank International Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority

22 January 2016

Link:

HKMA Notice

 

01.26.16
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Two more fraudulent websites found by HKMA

Press Releases
Suspected fraudulent websites
http:// http://www.uscapitalprivatebank.com and http:// http://www.uscapitalfundingii.com

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public in Hong Kong to two suspected fraudulent websites with the domain names http:// http://www.uscapitalprivatebank.com and http:// http://www.uscapitalfundingii.com. The websites are operated by “US Capital Private Bank” which claims that it is a Tier One Wealth Management and Private Financial Institution. The public should be aware that “US Capital Private Bank” is not authorized under the Banking Ordinance to carry on banking business or the business of taking deposits in Hong Kong, nor does it have the approval to establish a local representative office.

The HKMA has referred the case to the Hong Kong Police Force for further investigation. Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the websites or has conducted any financial transactions through the websites should contact any local Police Station or the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Given the global nature of the Internet, members of the public are reminded to verify the status of any organization making use of the Internet to solicit deposits from the public. A list of authorized institutions is available on the HKMA's website (www.hkma.gov.hk). Members of the public may also check the status of any entity in Hong Kong which solicits deposits from the public with the HKMA by calling its public enquiry hotline 2878 8222.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority

19 January 2016

Link:

HKMA Notice

 

01.06.16
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December 17, 2015: 1 Phish, 2 Phish

Two fraudulent website notices on the same day from the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. As you can imagine, the notices are the same as usual, other than the URLs. So, in the interest of brevity, the suspcious URLs are http://bochk-mobile.net/ for someone impersonating Bank of China, and http://dahsing.jinanyuz.com/ for the fake Dah Sing Bank site.

I note that there is a website listing all of these scams, which is where I got the URLs. Another trend I note is that both of the HKMA notices refer to this site and to the fact that the affected banks issued a press release about the fraudulent sites. In the past, HKMA used to post all the details in its notice – perhaps we'll still see those when one of the banks don't issue their own news releases.

Links:

HKMA Notices – Bank of China (Hong Kong), Dah Sing Bank

HKMA Fraudulent Websites, Phishing E-mails and Similar Scams website

 

12.30.15
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A malicious app a day makes your money go away…

Press Releases
Suspicious Internet banking mobile application (Apps) related to Chong Hing Bank Limited

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Chong Hing Bank Limited on suspicious Apps, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the Apps concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the Apps should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Link:

HKMA Notice

 

12.30.15
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Fubon Bank fraudulent website noted by HKMA

Press Releases
Fraudulent website related to Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited

The Hong Kong Monetary Authority (HKMA) wishes to alert members of the public to a press release issued by Fubon Bank (Hong Kong) Limited on fraudulent website, which has been reported to the HKMA. Hyperlink to the press release is available on the HKMA website for ease of reference by members of the public.

Anyone who has provided his or her personal information to the website concerned or has conducted any financial transactions through the website should contact the bank concerned using the contact information provided in the press release, and report to the Police or contact the Cyber Security and Technology Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong Police Force at 2860 5012.

Hong Kong Monetary Authority

10 December 2015

Link:

HKMA Notice

 

12.24.15
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OCC Catches Grinch #2: Counterfeit Checks drawn on Carrollton Federal Bank, Carrollton, KY

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Ensuring a safe and sound Federal Banking System for All Americans
Alert 2015-19
Subject: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks
Date: December 23, 2015
Description: Carrollton Federal Bank
Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of Carrollton Federal Bank, Carrollton, Ky.

To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations; All State Banking Authorities; Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (Districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsels; and All Examining Personnel

The above-named bank has reported that three variations of counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 061103056 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various online scams.

The counterfeit checks may or may not resemble the bank’s authentic checks; the counterfeit checks, however, may be identified by the following traits:

Variation #1

    • The checks contain a light-blue marbled background.
    • The following security statement is located within a dark-blue top border: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.”
    • The abbreviated routing number appearing beneath the check number is typed as 64-305/611 on one line.
    • The following security statement appears along the bottom of the check between two security padlock icons: “SECURITY FEATURES INCLUDED. DETAILS ON BACK.”

Variation #2

    • The checks are of unknown color.
    • The following security statement is located within a dark top border: “FOR SECURITY PURPOSES, THE FACE OF THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS A COLORED BACKGROUND AND MICROPRINTING IN THE BORDER.”
    • The “For” line contains the following note: “EAGLE SHIPPING LLC.”

Variation #3

    • The checks are of unknown color and contain an ornate border.
    • The bank’s logo is not included on the face of the check.
    • The checks are handwritten.
    • The “For” line may contain the following note: “For Services Rendered”

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts, contain the authorized signatures of Barbara Boswell and Joey Ginn, and have been delivered to potential victims by some form of express delivery.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of checks drawn on Carrollton Federal Bank, please contact Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Lisa Flannery by mail at P.O. Box 389, Carrollton, KY 41008, by telephone at (502) 732-4272, ext. 112, by fax at (502) 732-4274, or by e-mail at lflannery@carrolltonfederalbank.com.

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

    • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s Web site.
    • National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by e-mail. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud Web site.
    • Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The Web site offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the Internet).
    • If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

Additional information concerning this matter that should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may be forwarded to

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Special Supervision Division

400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12

Washington, DC 20219

Phone: (202) 649-6450

Fax: (571) 293-4925

www.occ.gov

occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resources page.

Ellen M. Warwick

Director for Enforcement and Compliance

Link:

OCC Notice

 

12.24.15
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OCC catches Grinch #1: Counterfeit Checks for First National Bank, Davenport, IA

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency
Ensuring a safe and sound Federal Banking System for All Americans
Alert 2015-18
Subject: Counterfeit Cashier’s Checks
Date: December 23, 2015
Description: First National Bank
Counterfeit Cashier's Checks of First National Bank, Davenport, Iowa

To: Chief Executive Officers of All National Banks and Federal Savings Associations; All State Banking Authorities; Chair, Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System; Chairman, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation; Conference of State Bank Supervisors; Deputy Comptrollers (Districts); Assistant Deputy Comptrollers; District Counsels; and All Examining Personnel

The above-named bank has reported that counterfeit cashier’s checks using a correct routing number of 071122564 are being presented for payment nationwide in connection with various online scams.

The counterfeit checks resemble the bank’s authentic checks; the counterfeit checks, however, may be identified by the following traits:

    • The checks are light blue in color and contain a darker-blue top border.
    • The following security statement is located within the top border: “WARNING: THIS DOCUMENT HAS SECURITY FEATURES IN THE PAPER.”

Counterfeit checks presented to date have been made payable in varying amounts, contain a remitter name of Frank David, and contain authorized signatures of Ruth Heisley and Naomi M. Sparacello.

For additional information and to verify the authenticity of checks drawn on First National Bank, please contact Senior Vice President, Compliance, and Bank Secrecy Act Officer Naomi M. Sparacello by mail at 3717 N. Brady St., Davenport, IA 52806, by telephone at (563) 388-4925, or by e-mail at naomi.sparacello@firstnationalbanks.com.

Consumers who receive counterfeit or fictitious items and associated material should file complaints with the following agencies, as appropriate:

    • Federal Trade Commission (FTC): by telephone at (877) FTC-HELP or, for filing a complaint electronically, via the FTC’s Web site.
    • National Consumers League (NCL): by telephone at (202) 835-3323 or by e-mail. To file a fraud complaint, visit the NCL fraud Web site.
    • Better Business Bureau (BBB): The BBB system serves markets throughout Canada, Puerto Rico, and the United States and is the marketplace leader in advancing trust between businesses and consumers. The Web site offers contact information for local BBBs, objective reports on more than 2 million businesses, consumer scam alerts, and tips on a wide variety of topics that help consumers find trustworthy businesses and make wise purchasing decisions.
    • Federal Bureau of Investigation Internet Crime Complaint Center (to report scams that may have originated via the Internet).
    • If correspondence is received via the U.S. Postal Service, contact the U.S. Postal Inspection Service by telephone at (888) 877-7644; by mail at U.S. Postal Inspection Service, Office of Inspector General, Operations Support Group, 222 S. Riverside Plaza, Suite 1250, Chicago, IL 60606-6100; or via the online complaint form.

Additional information concerning this matter that should be brought to the attention of the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) may be forwarded to

Office of the Comptroller of the Currency

Special Supervision Division

400 7th St. SW, Suite 3E-218; MS 8E-12

Washington, DC 20219

Phone: (202) 649-6450

Fax: (571) 293-4925

www.occ.gov

occalertresponses@occ.treas.gov

For additional information regarding other types of financial fraud, please visit the OCC’s anti-fraud resources page.

Ellen M. Warwick

Director for Enforcement and Compliance

Link:

OCC Notice