Cybercriminals add coronavirus ‘flavour’ to scamming efforts

Report is urging a review of policing and prevention policies

Cybercriminals are adding a coronavirus “flavour” to their attacks as they try to take advantage of the “heightened sense of fear”, according to a report.

The Scottish Institute for Policing Research paper shows there is a lack of “sufficient capability” to tackle online offences at a local level if there was a significant increase in attempts.

It recommends Police Scotland should review its cybercrime policing and prevention practices.

Dr Lynsay Shepherd, one of the authors and lecturer in cybersecurity at Abertay University, said: “The project involved examining the cyber-attacks which are linked to Covid-19.

“There’s been a number of phishing and smishing attempts which make reference to the virus and this points to initial indications of a large and sustained increase in online crime.

“Criminals are launching these attacks, preying on the heightened sense of fear exhibited by the general public at this time.

“As a result of the work, we believe that Police Scotland is well placed to tackle cybercrime and can build on its knowledge of local communities, whilst maintaining links with centralised law enforcement agencies and security services.

“We also recommend that territorial police forces, including Police Scotland, review their cybercrime policing and prevention practices in the event of a significant rise in cybercrime in the near future.”

The paper finds evidence criminals have adapted their attacks very rapidly in response to government initiatives.

An example given was when the UK Department for Education published guidance in March about free school meals, which was followed by reports of phishing scams in relation to this.

The paper, which states it was written for a “Scottish audience”, makes a number of recommendations.

Among them is that the force north of the border has an opportunity of using its “brand, legitimacy and deep connections” with communities to lead a distinctively Scottish response.

It says Police Scotland’s local links can be used to improve engagement in circumstances where cybersecurity messages have limited uptake, such as with those living in deprived areas.

Criminals are... preying on the heightened sense of fear exhibited by the general public. DR LYNSAY SHEPHERD