Gogolook 2022 Annual Fraud Report : Messaging Software

Auntie Meiyu highlights receding pandemic-related scams and new emerging tactics via messaging software

As communication technologies popularize, rumors and scams have proliferated via messaging software, including LINE and Telegram. Gogolook’s AI-powered fact-checking chatbot Auntie Meiyu has been adopted by over 520,000 users. In 2022, it was recommended by Central Election Commission and Taiwan Centers for Disease Control. According to its latest data, Auntie Meiyu verified/debunked suspicious information for 1.67 million times in 2022. Scammers constantly modify their tactics and phrases along with current affairs in Taiwan.

Scams via messaging apps last year still centered around the pandemic. During the surge in May to August last year, according to Taiwan Centers for Disease Control, questionable information also peaked in the same period. Criminals distributed unverified pandemic prevention tips and fake links for pandemic subsidies. They took advantage of uncertainties for illicit profits. Starting from August, though, many fraudulent one-pagers emerged that plagiarized CPC, FamilyMart, and 7-ELEVEN websites. Around Mid-Autumn Festival, scammers randomly mailed fake paper vouchers with QR codes in the name of convenience stores. Voucher photos also spread widely via messaging software. By scanning QR codes on these invalid vouchers, users immediately friended fraudulent accounts, and increased their exposure to future scams.

Auntie Meiyu warns fake LINE authentication and Google Forms as new personal information risks

According to AI-powered fact-checking chatbot Auntie Meiyu, over 14,000 fraudulent links were detected in 2022. Besides fraudulent domains for investment or loans, Auntie Meiyu also pinpoints two new types of scams via messaging software, including fake LINE authentication and Google Forms for personal information.

Scammers often apply fraudulent accounts on messaging apps. Many people have been pulled into unknown groups by large numbers of fraudulent investment advisor accounts. These accounts also disguise as friends, family members, or brands, and ask for LINE authentication. When careless users follow instructions to submit personal information, such as phone numbers, passwords, or authentication codes in text messages, their accounts are more likely to be stolen by others with hostile intents. Another type of scams is exercised with Google Forms. Scammers use free Google Forms to produce surveys with product trials or loan applications for distribution. It is difficult to verify authenticity, and easy to cause personal information leakage.

Auntie Meiyu also reminds that prize scams and free sticker scams were still rampant last year via messaging software to steal person information. Auntie Meiyu can verify suspicious links, messages, or wallets. Do not click on questionable links, do not give away personal information easily, and do not download suspicious applications.

Media Contact

Marco Tsai 蔡孟宏 0931-865-855 marco.tsai@gogolook.com

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About Gogolook

Gogolook is a leading TrustTech company established in 2012. With “Build for Trust” as its core value, it aims to create an AI- and data-driven global anti-fraud network as well as Risk Management as a Service. From multi-communication to fintech, SaaS and Web3, Gogolook creates trustworthy empowerment with the use of technology in various fields.

Gogolook has also teamed up with a number of institutes such as the Taiwan National Police Agency Criminal Investigation Bureau, the Financial Supervisory Service of South Korea, Thai Police Cyber Taskforce, the Fukuoka city government, and the Malaysia police and Selangor state government to fight fraud and ultimately, to build a trustworthy communication network with the largest number database in East Asia and Southeast Asia.

• Gogolook official website: https://gogolook.com/ 

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About Auntie Meiyu 美玉姨

Auntie Meiyu is an AI-powered fact-checking chatbot. It automatically compares suspicious information, such as text messages, rumors in graphs, unknown phone numbers, phishing links, virtual asset wallet addresses, and LINE ID, with various fact-checking platforms, law enforcement authorities, and security databases. Users can obtain results based on multiple sources in real time, without falling victims to scams.

Auntie Meiyu official website: http://www.checkcheck.me/en/