Over the weekend, Monaco officials uncovered a widespread scam involving fraudulent QR codes placed on 40 parking meters across the Principality. The scam targeted unsuspecting individuals, redirecting them to malicious websites when scanning the QR codes to pay for parking.
Authorities have since removed the fake stickers and are urging anyone affected by the scheme to contact the police immediately.
The fraudulent QR codes invited users to scan and pay their parking fees, but instead led them to phishing websites. This technique, known as "quishing" (QR phishing), tricks users into entering sensitive information such as payment details and personal data. By doing so, victims exposed themselves to the risks of identity theft, financial fraud, and even potential ransomware attacks.
Monaco's parking meters offer multiple legitimate payment options, including coins, cards, and the official MonaPass application, but QR codes are not among the accepted methods. The scam relied on tricking individuals who might expect this type of technology to be a valid option.
Since the discovery, all affected parking meters have been thoroughly inspected, and the fraudulent QR codes removed. No additional threats have been detected, but officials are keeping a close eye on the situation to ensure no further incidents occur.
Anyone who believes they may have been scammed by the fraudulent QR codes is strongly encouraged to contact the Monaco Police at +377 93 15 30 15 for assistance.
While the situation is under control, this serves as a reminder to remain cautious when using unfamiliar payment methods, especially when involving QR codes on public devices. Always verify the payment options and, when in doubt, use trusted applications or methods to avoid falling victim to similar scams.