2025-01-01

Circular No. 32/2025: Criminal Method Used in Fraud

The Palestine Monetary Authority issued Circular No. 32/2025 to warn payment companies about a new criminal fraud method involving impersonation of mobile phone retailers. Scammers trick victims into providing sensitive financial data, including OTPs and card details, through fake purchase links and advance payment requests. The Authority mandates that payment companies educate customers, report incidents to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Department, and notify relevant authorities.

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Palestine Monetary Authority

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Palestine Monetary Authority

PALESTINE MONETARY AUTHORITY

Circular No. (32/2025)
To all payment companies operating in Palestine
Date: Sunday, December 14, 2025


Subject: Criminal Method Used in Fraud

The Palestine Monetary Authority urges payment companies to exercise caution and work to raise awareness among customers and citizens regarding a newly emerged criminal method of electronic financial fraud. This fraud involves scammers impersonating retailers of mobile phones and contacting citizens via telephone or social media platforms to promote the sale of modern devices through installment payments. To complete the purchase and receive the requested device, the victim is required to do the following:

  1. Submit a purchase request via a fake electronic link sent to the victim through communication and social media channels.
  2. Pay an advance installment or provide the caller with residential address details, account information with the company, and images of both sides of the payment card, including secret numbers, the verification code (OTP), and the victim's mobile phone number.

The Palestine Monetary Authority emphasizes the continued periodic education of customers and citizens regarding fraud methods and prevention measures, disseminating this information through its social media channels. It also requires reporting fraud incidents to the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorist Financing Department of the Palestine Monetary Authority and notifying the competent authorities in accordance with established procedures.


Supervision Group
Palestine Monetary Authority


www.pma.ps


Ramallah & Al-Bireh Governorate - Palestine P.O. Box 452
Ramallah & Al-Bireh Governorate - Palestine P.O. Box
Postal Code: P6160675 | Phone: +970 2 2415251 | Fax: +970 2 2415310 | info@pma.ps