Fraudsters in Belgium are attempting to deceive small businesses and independent entrepreneurs by impersonating officials from the country’s cybersecurity service. Under the pretext of conducting a free security audit, the perpetrators seek to gain access to corporate networks and sensitive company data.
These scammers initiate contact by citing a fictitious government campaign aimed at raising awareness of cyber threats. They offer to analyze a company’s infrastructure, claiming that their assessment will help identify potential vulnerabilities. As part of this so-called “audit,” the cybercriminals bring their own equipment into offices, connect to the organization’s network, and prompt employees to confirm actions through a pre-prepared phishing website.
Belgian authorities have issued a warning, clarifying that neither a “Federal Cybersecurity Service” nor a “Federal Cybercrime Service” exists. The sole government entity responsible for safeguarding the nation’s cyberspace is the Belgian Centre for Cyber Security (CCB), which operates under strict legal regulations and never initiates security inspections without prior official notification.
Indicators of this fraudulent scheme include the fraudsters’ persistent behavior, requests for remote access or permission to connect external equipment, and the use of counterfeit credentials. The perpetrators may pose as “federal agents,” present fake business cards, and send emails that closely mimic official government communications.
To safeguard businesses, cybersecurity experts advise verifying the legitimacy of all unsolicited contacts, refusing unexpected security audits, and always reaching out to government agencies through official channels.
