Internet fraud complaints went up by 30% last year

As per Economic Affairs Minister Nathalie Muylle, Belgium’s Economic Inspection Unit received 29% more complaints of Internet fraud in 2019 than last year.

Internet fraud complaints went up by 30% last year: Belgium’s Economic Inspection Unit received 29% more complains of Internet fraud in 2019 than the year before, according to Economic Affairs … https://t.co/1PNRwvb68h #phishing #scam

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In response to a question from a parliamentarian, Ms. Muylle stated her ministry’s contact point had received 9,142 similar complaints last year, as opposed to 7,082 in 2018, with individuals being a major reason for the increase.

The most common complaints were linked with fraudulent practices, unwelcome publicity, undelivered goods or services, data protection violations, and unwanted deliveries. Most of the complaints are sent to the Economic Inspection Unit.

According to the minister, complaints of online stores’ counterfeiting rose up by 3.3%. By the end of March, 13 charges had been reported, more than half the amount for the last year.

Since 2015, no less than 8,858 fake online stores have been sealed by the Economic Inspection Unit and the Customs Department.