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Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens

Updated 9 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

What changed

2026-08-28 07:50 UTC → 2026-09-03 09:13 UTC · added removed

Since the wave of SMS‑phishing in May 2026, fraudsters have continually expanded their use of trusted communication channels across Europe. In early July, Albanian and Kosovar businesses faced a coordinated cyber‑attack targeting a national star‑rating system and the MerrJep marketplace, while ProCredit Bank client data appeared for sale online. In late July and August, parking-related fraud intensified. In the Czech Republic, police warned of messages impersonating EasyPark; similarly, authorities in Pitești, Romania, flagged fraudulent texts mimicking the TPARK app. In Rome, officials warned of SMS messages claiming traffic infractions to steal banking data. In Lithuania, a new scheme involving SMS messages regarding unpaid fees and fake QR codes on parking meters emerged. In Germany, the ADAC warned of ‘smishing’ and ‘quishing’ tactics. Most recently, in Slovakia, the Nitra Municipal Police and the Slovak Banking Association warned of SMS scams claiming unpaid parking fees—often requesting small amounts like 1.70 euros to appear legitimate—sent from suspicious numbers, including those from Morocco. In late August, EasyPark reported increased fraud in Finland and Norway, where scammers use SMS, emails, and counterfeit physical QR codes on parking signs to claim outstanding payments. Impersonation of official services has also escalated. In Greece, the Hellenic Police warned of a surge in smishing vishing and vishing, smishing, noting that scammers use automated recordings to impersonate police, shortened URLs to mimic the gov.gr portal portal, and may even use artificial intelligence for voice cloning cloning. In Bulgaria, authorities flagged ‘Police Summons Notice’ emails that use logos from the Ministry of Interior and Europol to impersonate officials or relatives. threaten citizens with arrest. In Moldova, authorities flagged scams impersonating MPay and the Police. In Romania, the National Cybersecurity Directorate (DNSC) warned of phishing emails mimicking E. ON to steal credit card details via fraudulent payment sites. The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI) has advised citizens to hang up on phone-spoofing calls, noting the agency “never asks for such information by telephone.” websites.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-03 09:13 UTC Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens
  2. 2026-08-28 07:50 UTC Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens
  3. 2026-08-26 18:37 UTC Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens
  4. 2026-08-18 16:50 UTC Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens
  5. 2026-08-14 19:30 UTC Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens
  6. 2026-08-12 04:14 UTC Expanding SMS and phone fraud targeting European citizens
  7. 2026-08-05 14:54 UTC Phone and messaging fraud targeting consumers
  8. 2026-08-03 10:56 UTC Phone and messaging fraud targeting consumers
  9. 2026-08-02 09:21 UTC Phone‑fraud and smishing targeting drivers – July 2026
  10. 2026-07-31 20:59 UTC Phone‑fraud and smishing targeting drivers – July 2026

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