Remote Access Scams - How to Protect Yourself and Seek Legal Compensation

In today’s era of global digitalisation, online scams have reached alarming levels of sophistication, with serious economic, psychological, and emotional consequences for victims. In particular, scams involving platforms that allow remote access to devices – such as AnyDesk, TeamViewer, LogMeIn, GoToMyPC, and Chrome Remote Desktop – are becoming increasingly common. Although these technologies were originally developed for legitimate and professional purposes, they are now being exploited by cybercriminals to take control of victims’ devices and consequently, their finances.

Giambrone & Partners’ banking and financial services litigation department, offers highly specialised legal support to address the complex dynamics of these frauds.  Our lawyers are fully aware of the severity of the consequences for victims of fraud, both financially and emotionally.   Our multi-disciplinary team is committed to providing personalised, effective, and decisive assistance for each individual case.

With twenty offices worldwide – including locations in Italy, France, Spain, the United Kingdom, Portugal, Tunisia, Morocco, China and Japan, in addition we have a solid network of strategic partnerships with firms and professionals in all major jurisdictions, we are able to provide international legal advice with a focused and competent approach, particularly in cross-border cases or those involving foreign authorities. Furthermore, our professionals are fluent in Italian, English, Spanish, French, Portuguese, Arabic, Russian, Chinese and Japanese.  Our clients have lawyers that can speak their language enabling them to have a full understanding of every aspect of the proceedings and outcome. 

Vito Anello, a senior associate, commented, “cyberfraud has a significant impact on victims, not only due to the financial losses but often there is long-term impairment to their credit rating, making it difficult to obtain a mortgage or any other loan.  Identity theft can have serious repercussions in a number of aspects of their lives.” Vito further commented “Also, the emotional consequences can be devastating, leading to stress and anxiety and an erosion of trust.”  

How the Cyber Criminals Operate - The Dynamics of Scams

The modus operandi of these fraudsters is both simple and deceptive. It usually begins with a telephone call, an email, or a social media message from an individual posing as a financial adviser, IT technician, or, in cases of romance scams, a person establishing an emotional relationship with the victim. Frequently the fraudsters pretend to represent trusted institutions such as banks or public authorities, they use official logos and spoofed phone numbers to gain the victim’s trust.

Once trust is established, they persuade the victim to install remote access software under the pretext of "resolving an issue," "verifying irregularities," or "assisting with an investment." When access is granted, the scammers take full control of the device and operate freely.

The most common fraudulent activities include:

• Transferring funds from the victim’s bank account to untraceable foreign accounts.
  
   
• Purchasing cryptocurrencies using digital wallets opened in the victim’s name.
  
   
• Saving sensitive data, banking credentials, and confidential documents for future use (e.g., identity theft, repeated scams).
  
   
• Manipulating the victim’s online banking account to create false reports and encourage further deposits with promises of huge returns.
   

Giambrone & Partners can assist with the following -  prevention, assistance with tracing the criminals and legal action.

Should you be facing the fact that you have been scammed, it is essential not only to report the incident promptly but also to act swiftly to obtain legal advice to limit the damage and attempt to recover your lost funds.  Our lawyers can help by outlining the steps you must take in connection with the authorities to block fraudulent transactions and any other actions that the cybercriminals may take.

Our banking and financial services litigation department assists clients by:

• Collecting and preserving the technological evidence necessary to prove the wrongdoing.
  
   
• Communicating with banking institutions to attempt immediate recovery of the funds, where possible.
  
   
• Preparing and filing reports and complaints with the relevant authorities, both in Italy and in other jurisdictions abroad.
  
   
• Initiating civil or criminal proceedings aimed at recovering the misappropriated funds or holding negligent intermediaries accountable.
  
   

Our extensive international experience allows us to act swiftly in cases where funds have been transferred overseas, implementing precautionary measures, seizures, and international legal assistance requests, even in challenging jurisdictions.

If you suspect you have been the victim of such a scam, time is of the essence. Every hour can make the difference between recovering your funds before their dispersal through complex international criminal networks. Giambrone & Partners provides a team of lawyers, forensic IT consultants, and private investigators capable of delivering an integrated and personalised strategy

Vito Anello has  extensive professional experience as a leading member of the litigation department dealing with  financial matters. He possesses in-depth professional expertise together with a commitment to establish strong relationships with clients to enable him to have a full understanding of their legal issues.

Vito specialises in the regulation of online trading platforms and the recovery of funds lost in investment fraud. He provides advice and legal assistance to clients involving financial instruments of all types, both for contractual matters in compliance with Italian and European regulations. Vito deals with the regulation of financial markets, with a specific focus on investment services and activities and collective asset management. In particular, he assists private clients, companies and financial intermediaries, both Italian and international, in the wide areas of sector compliance, prudential rules and financial regulation. He also has experience in the field of crypto-assets and blockchain.

If you have been scammed Giambrone & Partners can help please contact us.