The Greek Industrial Property Organization (OBI) has alerted the public to a recent increase in fraudulent emails designed to trick depositors and trademark holders into making unauthorized payments. These emails falsely represent themselves as notifications from OBI about fees related to trademark proceedings or other services, urging recipients to provide payment to seemingly legitimate accounts. In reality, these messages are crafted to mislead the recipients and are part of a broader scheme to commit fraud.

The emails have been described as particularly deceptive, often utilizing professional language associated with trademark registration processes. They create a false sense of urgency, compelling recipients to act quickly without taking the necessary precautions. In many instances, these messages do not originate from the official OBI accounts and prompt users to send payment to unauthorized bank accounts or click on unofficial links, which could lead to the theft of personal and financial information.

OBI has made it clear in its communication that individuals should be vigilant and cautious regarding any unsolicited emails requesting payments. The organization advises the public not to respond to such communications and to verify any correspondence directly with OBI before making any transactions. This situation serves as a crucial reminder to everyone involved in trademark activities about the importance of vigilance against online fraud schemes.