Croatian residents lose over €17,000 to fake bank SMS scams

Police in Split received reports from citizens in Split, Trogir and Hvar who fell victim to computer‑based fraud using fake SMS messages that mimicked bank communications. A 56‑year‑old man from Trogir lost nearly €16,000 after following a link in a purported bank SMS and authorising transactions through the OTP GO app. A 48‑year‑old woman from Split was duped by a message claiming a traffic fine, entered her data on a counterfeit site and had €670 withdrawn. A 44‑year‑old man from Hvar was misled in early June and paid €500 via PaysafeCard and Select Pay after being convinced the request was legitimate. In total the scams cost victims €17,100. Police warned that they never send traffic‑fine notices by SMS and urged the public not to click suspicious links or provide personal and banking details.