Five fraudulent strategies revealed by cyber expert Permyakov
In today's digital age, it's essential to be vigilant against various online fraud schemes that have become increasingly prevalent in Russia. From joint film viewing scams to fake lotteries and government agency websites, here are key precautions to help you identify and avoid these fraudulent activities.
1. Be Sceptical of 'Too Good to Be True' Offers
Scammers often use urgent, limited-time offers or pressure tactics to bypass your rational doubt. Avoid deals or requests that push you to act quickly without verification.
2. Verify Websites Carefully
Check the URL of websites claiming to be government agencies or lotteries. Official Russian government portals tend to have domain endings like and use HTTPS. Do not trust sites that look slightly off, have suspicious domain names, or request sensitive data without clear justification.
3. Beware of Joint Film Viewing or Similar Social Scams
Scammers often use social engineering in scenarios like joint online film viewing, tricking participants into sharing payment details or clicking malicious links. Always confirm with trusted friends and verify payment requests independently.
4. Beware of Deepfake Fraud
The Russian Interior Ministry warns of scammers using deepfake videos or voice calls impersonating celebrities, automotive experts, government officials, or bloggers. These are used to legitimize transactions or apply psychological pressure to transfer money urgently. Be extra cautious if the caller demands secrecy or urgent payment, and independently contact the institution or person supposedly involved.
5. Telephone and Call Center Scams
Fraudsters impersonate bank employees, law enforcement, or relatives to obtain money or personal information via phone calls. These scams often use spoofed phone numbers or voice masking technologies. Always hang up and call back on official numbers independently obtained.
6. Job Offers for Translation ("Dropping")
Fraudulent translation job offers may be used to recruit money mules or funnel illicit payments. Be suspicious of job offers that require upfront payments, personal banking details, or instruct you to accept and transfer funds without clear contractual obligations.
7. Practice Digital Hygiene and Critical Thinking
Regularly update passwords, use two-factor authentication, and avoid sharing SIM cards or phone numbers with others, as laws now penalize phone sharing to combat fraud. Use antivirus software and verify any unexpected requests through trusted channels.
In addition to these precautions, beware of fake lottery and government agency websites, mimicking symbols of MVD, FNS, popular series, or "Gosuslugi". Scammers may also target applicants, assuring them that filling out a form can increase their chances of getting into a budget program. A third fraudulent scheme involves joint online film viewing, where scammers publish ads for a movie viewing session. After payment, access is closed.
Lastly, Russians have been warned about fake websites selling airline tickets to Gelendzhik. The expert advises against entering SMS codes or passwords over the phone and not clicking links. Stay safe online by maintaining vigilance, verifying independently, and not disclosing personal or financial information without thorough confirmation.
- Be cautious of cybersecurity threats in general-news or crime-and-justice sections, such as fraudulent government agency websites masquerading as MVD, FNS, or "Gosuslugi."
- In the realm of technology, specifically online film viewing scams may appear under general-news or entertainment, urging participants to share sensitive data or click malicious links, so always verify with trusted sources beforehand.
