Police investigate fake digital IDs sold to more than 300 minors

Police are investigating the sale of fake electronic IDs to more than 300 young people, warning that the software may have allowed an unknown person to monitor their internet use and access sensitive information. The details were reported by mbl.is.

One man was arrested last week in connection with the sales. He is suspected of selling the IDs to minors by offering access to a website or an iPhone app.

The young people believed they were buying a way to appear older. But installing a specific VPN setting could also give the seller access to information about their internet activity, including personal and banking details, police official Agnes Ósk Marzellíusardóttir told mbl.is.

Police consider it important to inform the guardians of children whose names appear in the records, Agnes said. She described the case as “extremely serious”, warning of the risks of installing unknown software on children’s phones.

Police offered help removing the setting at the police station at Hverfisgata 113 on October 15. Agnes said no one had yet come forward for assistance.

The investigation is ongoing. Police have not decided whether to bring charges; they will assess the evidence when the investigation is complete.