What is BEC?
BEC is a type of scam that targets businesses (and other types of organizations, such as educational institutions, government, and non-profits) and their fund transfers. Scammers generally target organizations that conduct large wire transfers in the course of their usual business and rely on email for much of their communication regarding the wires. Recent reporting indicates that other financial products, such as convertible virtual currency, automated clearing house transfers, and gift cards, can be used in BEC schemes.
Perpetrators may use methods such as spear phishing, specialized malware, and spoofed emails. Often, the victim is tricked into thinking a legitimate email from a trusted person or
entity is directing them to make a payment for a normal business activity.
What to do if you suspect BEC Fraud?
Contact the FBI at IC3.gov
Contact FinCen at RRPinfo@fincen.gov
FINCEN RAPID RESPONSE PROGRAM
FinCEN’s Rapid Response Program (RRP) is a multi-agency and private sector effort to interdict cybercrime-enabled wire fraud. The program leverages relationships with government, financial institution, and law enforcement partners to interdict cybercrime-enabled wire fraud proceeds nationally and globally to return the funds to victims. Under the program, when United States law enforcement receives a BEC complaint from a victim or a financial
institution, the relevant information is forwarded to FinCEN, which moves quickly to track and recover the funds. The program utilizes FinCEN’s ability to rapidly share information with counterpart Financial Intelligence Units (FIU) in more than 164 jurisdictions, and leverages these relationships to encourage foreign authorities to intercede and hold funds or reverse wire transfers. For more information about the program, contact RRPinfo@fincen.gov.
Resources:
FinCEN Advisories:
https://www.fincen.gov/resources/advisories/fincen-advisory-fin-2016-a003
https://www.fincen.gov/sites/default/files/shared/FinCEN_Financial_Trend_Analysis_FINAL_508.pdf
FBI Resources: