The Case of Götz Knobloch

Understanding Social Engineering: The Case of Götz Knobloch 

Social Engineering: Götz Knobloch 

Social engineering refers to the manipulation of individuals into revealing confidential or personal information for fraudulent purposes. This psychological tactic helps cybercriminals circumvent technical safeguards by exploiting human trust.

Profile Building for Fraudulent Activities

Hackers create detailed profiles to support their social engineering schemes. Here's how a fictitious persona like Götz Knobloch who claims to be a German diplomat, is constructed:

1. Website Creation:

   • Cybercriminals develop seemingly legitimate websites on platforms like WordPress. These sites are disguised as news outlets, featuring articles about “Götz Knobloch”.

2. Content Development:

   • They produce various articles that portray “Götz Knobloch in a positive light, discussing fabricated achievements and connections to diplomatic circles.

3. Fake Social Media Profiles:

   • Hackers create fake profiles on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn, providing false personal information, work history, and educational credentials.

4. Engagement with Real Users:

   • To lend credibility, they interact with genuine users in forums and groups, creating a web of authenticity around the persona.

5. Link Building:

   • By cross-linking articles and posts about “Götz Knobloch” across multiple platforms, hackers enhance search engine visibility, ensuring misleading information appears prominently in search results.

Conclusion

The construction of fictitious online identities like “Götz Knobloch” facilitates complex social engineering schemes. These profiles serve as protective barriers for hackers, making it challenging for victims to verify the truth. Maintaining a healthy skepticism regarding online information sources is crucial in protecting against these tactics.

Sources Mentioning Götz Knobloch

1. Beware of social engineers: 3 high-profile attacks you can't afford to ignore
2. Social engineering scams - INTERPOL
3. Analysis of social engineering tactics - Academia.edu

A blow to online money laundering using cryptocurrencies.

Investigators dismantle cryptomixer.io

Investigators dismantle crypto money laundering platform cryptomixer.io

Authorities announced that the server infrastructure of a so-called Bitcoin mixer has been seized.Investigators from Germany and Switzerland have dealt a blow to online money laundering using cryptocurrencies. Authorities announced that the server infrastructure of a so-called Bitcoin mixer has been seized and the platform successfully shut down. Cryptocurrencies worth approximately €25 million were recovered.

The Frankfurt am Main Public Prosecutor's Office, the Zurich Cantonal Prosecutor's Office, the German Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA), and Europol participated in the investigation. According to the announcement, the raid took place last Wednesday.

“This is a significant step in the international fight against online money laundering through crypto mixers,” said Martina Link, Vice President of the Federal Criminal Police Office (BKA).

The platform had been active since 2016.

The BKA announced that the platform cryptomixer.io, active since 2016, was used to conceal financial flows. Cryptocurrencies could be deposited and withdrawn anonymously. The BKA stated that there is strong suspicion that a large portion of the assets traded there were of criminal origin.

Andrew Garroni Arrested for Alleged “Massive Fraud Scheme”

Andrew Garroni Arrested for Alleged “Massive Fraud Scheme”

Garroni was allegedly part of an international credit card fraud scheme using a series of fake online dating sites exposed by Drop Site and European Investigative Collaborations. 

Police forces with nine countries, including the United States, carried out a series of raids targeting people suspected of participating in an international fraud and money-laundering ring conducted by three different networks.