How I Turned into a Hacker - Salwa van der Gaag - Global Anti-Scam Summit Europe 2024

Date of Event: 2024-06-24

Event: Global Anti-Scam Summit Europe 2024

At the Global Anti-Scam Summit Europe 2024, Salwa van der Gaag, a journalist and presenter from the Dutch TV network NOS , shared her personal experience of being hacked. In March, Salwa's social media accounts were compromised, and she discovered that her identity had been stolen and misused across platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X. She recounts the distress of finding out she had lost access to her accounts and how her online persona was transformed into a variety of fake profiles.

Salwa details her investigative journey, collaborating with a cybersecurity expert to uncover how easily phishing scams can be set up and executed. They found numerous identical scam websites and learned about the widespread and organized nature of these fraudulent activities. Despite contacting victims and collecting their stories, Salwa emphasized the lack of effective support for those affected and highlighted the ease with which such scams can be perpetrated.

She concludes by calling attention to the need for better aftercare for victims and stricter controls on web hosting services that enable such fraudulent sites to exist. Her story underscored the pervasive threat of online scams and the importance of enhanced cybersecurity measures and victim support systems.

Jun 23, 2024

1 minute read

Brazil Anti-Scam Forum 2026: Key Takeaways on Strengthening Scam Prevention in Brazil

Key insights from the Brazil Anti-Scam Forum 2026 on scam trends, prevention, intelligence sharing and cross-sector collaboration.

Best Practices Industry - Telecom Operators / Hosts Topic - Fraud Prevention Topic - Data Sharing

Consumer Education Working Group's 5-Step Scam Response Plan

GASA Consumer Education Working Group Develops 5-Step Response Plan for Scam Victims

GASA’s Consumer Education Working Group sets out a five-step response plan that organisations can use and share to support people affected by scams.

Best Practices Industry - National Cyber Security Centers (NCSCs) Topic - Scam Reporting Topic - Scam Awareness

GASA and UNODC Strengthen Global Cooperation Against Organised Fraud

GASA and UNODC Partner to Strengthen Global Response to Organised Fraud

GASA and UNODC sign an MoU to strengthen international cooperation on fraud prevention, research, criminal justice responses and awareness.

News Region - Global Topic - Fraud Policy Industry - Policy Makers

Recognising excellence in combating scams at the Scam Fighter Awards in America

Meet the Winners – Scam Fighter Awards at the Global Anti-Scam Summit America 2026

Meet the winners of the Scam Fighter Awards at the Global Anti-Scam Summit America 2026 and learn about their work in education, research, collaboration and technology.

News Topic - Data Sharing Topic - Scam Awareness Region - Global

Global Anti-Scam Alliance Partners with TruthScan to Integrate Deepfake Detection on scam.org

Users of scam.org will now be able to upload an image to the website for analysis to determine whether the image is authentic, edited, or generated by artificial intelligence.

News Region - Global Topic - Scam Detection Region - North America

Turning Fraud Data Into Actionable Intelligence

From Information Sharing to Intelligence Production: GASA Mexico in Forbes

Sissi de la Peña, Director of the GASA Mexico Chapter, examines in Forbes México what the U.S. memorandum on cyber operations against fraud networks means for the country.

Best Practices Topic - Fraud Prevention Topic - Data Sharing Industry - Financial Authorities

GASA Africa Chapter & Google South Africa Trust & Safety Workshop

GASA and Google Trust & Safety Workshop Sets Priorities for Anti-Scam Cooperation Across Africa

GASA Africa Chapter and Google South Africa brought anti-fraud leaders together to strengthen cross-border cooperation and scam prevention.

News Topic - Fraud Prevention Topic - Data Sharing Topic - Scam Detection

Allstate Identity Protections joins GASA

Allstate Identity Protection Joins the Global Anti-Scam Alliance to Strengthen the Fight Against Scams and Identity Theft

Allstate Identity Protection has joined the Global Anti-Scam Alliance (GASA) as a Corporate Member within the North America Chapter.

News Topic - Fraud Prevention Topic - Scam Detection Industry - Financial Authorities