During major online sales and New Year promotions in Spain, cybercriminal activity surges. The country’s national police have identified twelve of the most common scams used by fraudsters during these weeks. Special attention is given to so-called ‘skimming’—a method where criminals can completely drain a victim’s bank account using data obtained through fake websites or messages.
Cybersecurity experts note that scammers tailor their tricks to people of all ages. Young people are more likely to fall for promises of easy money for likes or comments, while older generations tend to be lured by fake delivery notifications or messages about changing payment details. Police advise exercising extra caution when shopping online, choosing only trusted stores, and always checking for security certificates on websites.
Top Scams: From Skimming to the ‘Son in Trouble’ Scheme
Among the most common cybercrimes are not only skimming, but also payment detail substitution, salary data manipulation, and the so-called ‘like scam.’ In the latter, victims are offered the chance to earn money by liking or commenting on posts, then convinced to invest under the promise of quick profits.
Equally dangerous are schemes involving fake messages sent on behalf of delivery services. After receiving such a message, a person follows a link to a website that looks identical to the real one, where they’re asked to enter personal and banking information. Once this information is provided, scammers gain full access to the funds in the victim’s account.
Police advice: how to avoid falling victim to cybercriminals
Law enforcement strongly recommends avoiding transfers to unknown accounts and never sending personal documents or passwords via email or messaging apps. If a seller or website insists you complete a purchase urgently, be cautious—that’s a common sign of fraud. It’s safer to pay with credit cards or special prepaid cards rather than regular debit cards.
Police also advise checking the website address carefully before entering any information—even small discrepancies in the URL may indicate a fake site. Do not click on links from suspicious messages, even if they appear to be official notifications from well-known companies.
New campaign: micro-podcasts to protect citizens
This year, the police launched a special information campaign in the form of short audio clips. In them, cybercrime unit officers explain in simple terms how common fraud schemes work and what to do to avoid falling victim. These audio messages are available on the police’s official social media pages and messengers, as well as on popular podcast platforms.
Each episode focuses on a specific type of scam: from invoice fraud to ‘romance scams’ and schemes involving a ‘child in trouble.’ This format allows you to quickly get valuable information and recognize threats in time.
Vigilance is your best defense
The police remind you: cybercriminals are constantly improving their techniques, so it is important to stay alert and not trust suspicious offers. If in doubt, double-check the information through official channels or consult a specialist.
During sales and holidays, you should be especially careful: this is when scammers become more active and look for new ways to deceive. Following simple safety rules can help protect your money and personal data.
