SIC "Dismantles" Criminal Network Involved in Fake Profiles and Deepfake Extortion on the Internet

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Source: TPA Angola

In a recent crackdown on online fraud in Luanda, Angola's Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) dismantled a criminal network that was creating fake profiles and using deepfake technology to engage in online scams and extortion. The operation, which took place on Friday, October 18, led to the arrest of nine Chinese nationals and one Ugandan citizen. The suspects were involved in illicit online gambling, social media fraud, and deepfake-based phishing schemes targeting Brazilian and Portuguese citizens.

The operation’s hub was located at the Diamond Black Hotel in the Kifica neighborhood of Benfica, Talatona. Despite appearing to be closed, the hotel was rented and used as a cover, disguised as an auto repair shop, with four rooms fully equipped for the group’s illegal activities.

According to SIC, each room served a distinct purpose in the scheme:

  1. Fake Social Media Profiles Room: In one room, 24 employees worked on creating fake social media profiles to connect with high-profile Portuguese citizens, primarily aiming to obtain their WhatsApp numbers. These contacts were then targeted with phishing, extortion, and fraud through voice and video calls.

  2. Illegal Gambling Targeting Brazilian Citizens: Another room focused on targeting Brazilian citizens, where employees were given around 700 phone numbers daily to convince individuals to join an online gaming platform named LNBet. They were enticed with bonus promises of 1 to 18 reais.

  3. Brazilian Music "Like" Fraud: Employees in a different section of the same room were responsible for persuading Brazilian citizens to "like" songs on Spotify for a 10-real bonus. To seem authentic, operators used voice-altering software to mimic Brazilian accents.

  4. Chinese-Only Room for Advanced Extortion: In two other rooms, reserved solely for Chinese members and leaders of the fraud scheme, accepted contacts from Portuguese and Brazilian victims were advanced to the next phase of extortion and financial scams.

  5. AI-Enhanced Video Calls for Extortion: The fourth room was equipped with AI technology, allowing operators to alter the appearances of female employees to make them more appealing in video interactions with Portuguese victims. The goal was to build trust and further exploit victims through video calls, leading to a variety of scams including unauthorized access to bank accounts.

SIC confiscated all IT equipment from the hotel and is actively pursuing other individuals involved in the scheme. The ten foreign nationals arrested face charges related to illegal gambling, fraudulent gaming, coercion, computer fraud, criminal association, money laundering, and extortion. They will be presented to the Public Prosecutor’s Office and subsequently to a judge for the appropriate legal procedures and personal coercive measures.

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