19 Sep 2024
Living in a foreign country might seem intimidating, especially if there is a language barrier and a significant culture shock. In circumstances like this, most expatriates find themselves vulnerable to scams, especially when it involves a lot of money. As an immigrant, when you’re trying to send money online to Bangladesh from Germany, you have to be extra cautious of online theft and fraud. Scammers often exploit your weaknesses to trick unsuspecting individuals, such as being new to a country and not knowing their national language fluently. With increasing reliance on technology for daily life tasks, scammers have turned to online platforms, too.
Unfortunately, not everyone is tech-savvy, which makes it easier to scam people through online platforms. Below are five critical online scams that you must be aware of while living in Germany as a Bangladeshi expatriate:
Scammers often “fish” for their new victims by impersonating government institutions, banks or any other credible organizations. Since they do this online, i.e., through messages, websites or email, it is pretty hard to detect their deception. This is “bait” for you to grab so they can get what they want, i.e., your personal information. Personal data like credit card details, passwords, and social security information is often their target.
Watch out for emails or messages asking you to verify your account or reset your password, especially if you haven’t asked for a password reset or verification. Also, remember that reputable organizations such as your bank would typically never ask for sensitive (identifying) information on a phone call. That’s called vishing!
Look out for these tell-tale signs too:
Enable two-factor authentication on your accounts for an added wall of security.
Most immigrants in Germany save up to send money back home, and this is where extra precaution is taken. If you wish to send money to Bangladesh from Germany, make sure you use a reliable and legal channel. Again, scammers might pose as legitimate company representatives to ask for quick money transfers. Expatriates suffer grave financial losses through scams like these.
You must be able to identify the red flags in scams like these. This includes a sense of urgency in making online money transfers, and unconventional methods of payment such as cryptocurrency or gift cards, etc. The best precaution you can take is always to verify the identity of the person or organization who has contacted you for money transfers. When deciding to send money from Bangladesh to Germany, you can use trusted services such as ACE Money Transfer. A reputable organization will ensure excellent customer service and secure transactions.
Have you ever shopped for a product online that never got delivered or even existed in the first place? That is the definition of an online shopping scam. During COVID, people turned to online shopping more than ever and scammers joined the party with them. Relatively new to most people, online shopping was the perfect ground for scamming. Scammers typically lure you in through offers that are too good to be true, such as highly discounted prices for popular products. They craft fake websites that are almost as good as the original authentic ones to create a façade.
So, before making a money transfer from Germany to Bangladesh, make sure you thoroughly inspect the website you’re using. If the website link doesn’t contain “https” security indicators, do not trust it. Other signs include bad grammar, poor website interface, or lack of contact information. Lastly, if all else is good, check customer reviews to see if other people’s experiences have been positive before you proceed with your transaction.
This is where it gets extra tricky! Often, job-seekers become victims of fraudulent employment schemes, suffering grave financial losses. Scammers impersonate legitimate recruiters representing reputable organizations or companies. Their purpose, as in most scams, is for you to reveal personal information or to pay upfront fees for recruitment. Expatriates often get caught up in scams offering lucrative jobs and fast hiring procedures. Be careful if you are asked to pay for background checks, training etc, because these are not standard employment practices.
Before applying for any job, make sure you take your time to verify the employer’s identity and the authenticity of the job offer. You must avoid paying fees or sharing personal data immediately. Lucrative offers with unusually little time to avail them are often worth suspicion.
Fake investment agencies and fake websites often lure in vulnerable individuals through offers that sound too good to be true. If you ever get an investment offer that promises high returns with little to no risk, you’re probably being scammed. Investment requires vigilance and wisdom on your part. Again, if there is a sense of urgency to take action, you must take a step back and thoroughly verify. If you are not provided with enough transparent and verifiable information, the investment offer is likely fake.
If you wish to enter the investment world, the first step is to learn the rules and ask for help from people who have investment experience. Always choose a regulated and licensed investment firm to ensure that your investments will be protected.
Thorough verification is key for protection against any online fraud before you give out your personal data. If you plan to make an online money transfer from Germany to Bangladesh, you must choose a reliable and authentic money transfer service. ACE Money Transfer not only makes your money transfer experience easy but also ensures the safety of your money and sensitive information.
Immediately report it to local authorities, contact your bank, and change your online passwords to prevent further loss.
Yes, check websites like Europol and local cybercrime units for tips on staying safe online.
ACE Money Transfer uses secure technology and encryption to protect your transactions and personal information from fraud.
Common scams include phishing emails, fake job offers, social media scams, online shopping fraud, and fake charity requests.
Look for suspicious sender addresses, spelling errors, urgent language, and unexpected links or attachments.
