Fraudsters are increasingly resorting to using substituted telephone numbers that visually resemble those of the FSB of Russia in order to impersonate law enforcement officers and deceive citizens into transferring money. The Center for Public Relations (COOs) of the FSB has reported that these actions are part of a scheme to steal funds from unsuspecting individuals.
The scammers convince their victims to transfer money to supposed “safe accounts” or hand it over to a courier under the guise of protecting the funds from theft or involving them in supposed operational activities. Some victims are threatened with the closure of criminal cases that are falsely claimed to have been opened against them or their loved ones.
To enhance the illusion of credibility, the criminals use messengers to share fake “official certificates,” copies of fictitious “orders,” and other fraudulent documents. They urge the victims to maintain confidentiality, warning of criminal repercussions if they disclose the information or refuse to cooperate.
The FSB emphasizes that notifications of criminal prosecution are only delivered in person and in writing, and not through instant messengers. Citizens are advised to call official public receptions to verify any suspicious messages they receive.
It is essential for individuals to be vigilant of signs of fraud such as mentions of the Bank Security Service, requests for personal data, or demands to disclose SMS codes. It is crucial to halt the conversation immediately if any of these red flags are raised, as there are no legal consequences for refusal to comply with such demands.
Fraudsters are also increasingly utilizing voice and video manipulation technologies to pose as relatives or acquaintances in their schemes. In these situations, it is recommended to personally reach out to the alleged sender of the message to confirm their identity and the legitimacy of the request.