Translation. Region: Russian Federation –
Source: Mainfin Bank –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
How have scammers modernized their scheme to extort money from Russians?
This sophisticated scam, like most others, relies on social engineering, whereby the victim is misled and forced to transfer money to the scammers. The scheme involves several stages:
The scammer contacts the victim, posing as an employee of a bank, law enforcement agency, the State Services portal, investment platforms, etc. The victim is offered the chance to "save money" from theft or increase their capital—the cover story can vary. To implement the plan, the victim must transfer their savings to an acquaintance, friend, or relative—ideally, if the two people have previously conducted banking transactions. The acquaintance will then personally transfer the funds to the scammers, without attracting the attention of the bank's security services.
IN T-bank Reports indicate that the number of cases of fraud using victims' friends has increased by 60%. A complex chain of stolen funds helps fraudsters bypass credit institutions' anti-fraud systems.
What should bank clients do to avoid becoming victims of fraud?
Financial security and literacy are talked about literally everywhere – representatives banksThe media, law enforcement agencies, and independent experts are warning Russians about the risks of fraud. However, no preventative measures have yet produced the desired results—people of all ages, social status, and education are falling for scammers. To avoid becoming a victim, experts urge:
Avoid entering payment information on dubious websites; use a separate card with a minimum balance for online purchases; filter calls using software to immediately see who is calling from an unknown number; do not disclose personal information to third parties or share codes from SMS; if you receive a call "from the bank's security service," contact the organization using the official number or visit a branch in person.
"It's important to monitor the payment transactions of children and elderly relatives—these individuals are at the highest risk. It's advisable to enable transaction notifications on your phone and set acceptable spending limits," the expert recommends.
Cyberpolice urges Russians to critically evaluate offers of high incomes, as scammers often disguise themselves as investment platforms. These scams may involve famous people (actors, athletes, politicians), as well as the victims' relatives.
12:00 10/28/2025
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Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.