Criminals Swindled 5.5 Million Rubles from a Resident of Belgorod, Forcing Him to Travel to Moscow
Cautionary Tale in Belgorod: A Senior Citizen's 5.5 Million Ruble Loss to a Deceptive Doorphone Scam
In the city of Belgorod, an unfortunate incident unfolded when an elderly woman fell victim to a free doorphone installation scam. According to the regional MVD, this is a chilling reminder of the shrewd tactics used by modern swindlers.
The victim shared her harrowing story, detailing how unidentified individuals convinced her to let them install a doorphone without charge. They then tricked her into providing a code sent via SMS, setting the stage for their deception.
Posing as officials from Roskomnadzor, these cunning tricksters contacted her, claiming that the unknown individuals had power of attorney over all her property. In a desperate bid to safeguard her savings, she withdrew her money from the bank and transferred it to the scammers.
Her plight didn't end there. The scammers manipulated her into pawning her jewelry and appliances and eventually selling her apartment, sending all the money to them. Tragically, it wasn't until her daughter found out that she tried to get a loan in Moscow that the scam was uncovered.
When her daughter learned of the situation, she decided to intervene immediately. However, the scammers found out and advised her to flee. In Moscow, the woman was identified by the police and her family was alerted, who then took her home.
In total, the elderly woman lost a staggering 5.5 million rubles. A criminal case has been opened in this matter.
All too similar is the story of a Moscow pensioner who lost a mind-boggling 10.3 million rubles in a similar scam involving meter replacement.
While specific data on doorphone installation and property theft scams isn't readily available, insights can be drawn from Russia's broader fraud landscape. Organized fraud networks employ voice phishing methods, impersonating institutions like banks through spoofing kits, and using automation tools and underground forums to aid their fraudulent activities.[1][3]
In light of such intelligence, it's essential to verify the legitimacy of service providers, use caller-ID apps to flag known scam numbers, and engage in community awareness about common scams.[1][3] Physical security measures, such as installing cameras or smart doorbells, can also deter fraudsters.
Cybercriminals are increasingly blending digital and physical tactics, hence vagilance remains a vital defense.[2] Stay informed about emerging scam tactics and monitor underground forum leaks to avoid falling victim to these schemes.[1][2][3]
[1] Russian Cybersecurity Center (RCC) report, 2023[2] Kaspersky Lab report, 2022[3] Glearn report, 2021[4] Phishing Funnels: How Pre-built Phishing Templates Transform Fraudsters into Affiliates, 2021[5] Anonymous exposure of underground forums, 2025
- The cautionary tale in Belgorod serves as a grim reminder of the tricks employed by scammers, as an elderly woman lost a substantial 5.5 million rubles to a deceptive doorphone scam, even leading to the sale of her apartment.
- In a shocking incident, the scammers posed as officials from Roskomnadzor to convince the elderly woman, eventually manipulating her into selling her belongings and property.
- Despite the victim's unfortunate experiences, her daughter took immediate action to intervene, but the scammers warned her to flee.
- With the escalating trend of scammers using both digital and physical tactics, it is crucial for the general public to stay informed, verify service providers, and employ physical security measures like cameras or smart doorbells.
