Natalia and Marisol, fictitious names who hide their real identities, were scammed by a man who contacted them on Facebook and assured them that he needed their help to move to Spain. He convinced Natalia that she was going to mail her things and that she had to pay more, falsifying emails from the shipping company. 10.000 € To unblock the shipment at Portuguese customs. On the other hand, he told Marisol that in order to start from scratch in the new country, he had to open a bank account where he could deposit his savings. One lost his money, and the other was convicted in court for money laundering.
Cyber crime They have been growing for years as new technologies become an increasingly important part of everyday life. According to the last Cybercrime Report in Spain According to the data published by the Ministry of Interior, 305.477 computer crimes were committed in 2021, an increase of 6.1% compared to the previous year. Of these, 87.4 percent correspond to computer fraud, and 5.7 percent correspond to threats and pressure received by victims from cyber crooks.
However, among all crimes with evidence only one in ten came to light and less than 5% resulted in the arrest of one of those responsible. But as this newspaper confirms, numerous cases in which fraudsters are caught and punished end up in Spanish courts, albeit little by little in terms of crimes committed.
Facebook Marketplace, an opportunity
Moreover, the possibility of being scammed on these social networks is not limited to questionable friend requests where an imaginary relationship is established between the scammer and the victim; There are also much more direct ways of stealing money.
Facebook, which is estimated to have more than one user since 2016 2.2 billion monthly active users and 21.1 million profiles work in Spain Market place, a feature of the most popular social network in history, where its users can advertise and buy the products they offer. The difference with other platforms that offer similar services ebay anyone vintage, It is that they offer the possibility of somehow mediating the transaction, something that the meta-network, like many others, ignores.
In this way, users who use the Marketplace have the option to sell via payment channels other than Facebook or online, even in person, but both options carry their own risks.
The Madrid District Court’s decision of 17 May 2023 describes the purpose of another fictitious name, Víctor. sell two mobile phones for 450 euros. To do this, he met Clara at the exit of the Buenos Aires metro, who showed him a woman to prove that she had sent him the money. screenshot of the process and got the devices.
Víctor didn’t realize he had been scammed until he went to the police station and showed the footage to the police officers, who confirmed what had happened. Despite not responding to Clara’s calls or messages, it was easy to identify and arrest her when she was tipped off, so she had to return the money and pay a fine for a minor fraudulent charge. .
Something similar happened to José Luis, who thought he was buying a car. PlayStation 4 for 140 euros After confirming that a shipment planned by RMW was in progress and making the payment, he saw how the delivery took place. The seller received the package and he hid his money. The scammer returned the money when he learned that he had been sued, but this did not save him from being fined 360 euros for fraud.
Facebook Responsibility
“Purchasing through platforms that do not mediate the payment process is completely It’s the same as making a sale deal with someone you met on the street.Carolina González, director of the criminal department at the law firm Ius+Aequitas, explains to this newspaper: “You’re not sure if he’ll pay you or if you buy something from him, what you get will be what you expect.” “All within the terms and conditions that we accept and do not read.”
As such, Facebook doesn’t have any features. responsibility The lawyer explains that he does not directly profit from what goes on in the Marketplace, so the company may not even have to be legally liable if the products offered there are presented on the marketplace. stolen anyone fake.
“Once neither the product nor the money goes through the company, you don’t have to be held accountable, so you need to know not only what to buy and from whom, but also where to buy it,” González advises.