A number of Sidel Group customers, suppliers and key partners have recently been the target of Internet-based fraud attempts, said the global plastics packaging machinery company.
“They received fake emails or phone calls from so-called Sidel employees, requesting or providing business sensitive information such as usernames, passwords, banking details and/or invoice information with the objective of using this information to divert payments from the pre-agreed payment methods,” the company, based in Hünenberg, Switzerland, said in a statement.
A range techniques were used in the attempted frauds:
• Emails using false email addresses but real Sidel employees signatures asking customers to redirect payments to an unknown bank in a third country.
• Phone calls to suppliers from so-called Sidel employees requesting invoice information and then sending forged supplier invoices.
•Other schemes, which are all intended to alter the flow of money or business sensitive information.
Sidel said: “Please remain vigilant and verify any unusual request with your trusted business partner in Sidel. If you believe you have been a target of an attempted fraud using Sidel information (real or false), please let us know.
“If you have any questions or would like to discuss this topic further please do not hesitate to contact the Sidel Corporate Governance Office at [email protected]," it added.