Deceptive Financial Transactions and Invitations to the Victory Day Parade: How Scammers Deceive Aged Citizens Prior to May 9th.
Warned! Common Scams Targeting Victims on Russia's Victory Day
Celebrate Russia's Victory Day with caution! Scammers slip between the cracks, taking advantage of the patriotic fervor and heightened emotions, with an obvious intention to lighten your wallet. Here's a heads-up on the most common scams related to this significant national holiday.
Scam #1: Fake Administration or Social Protection Officials
Scammers pretend to be administrators or social protection officials, claiming that you're entitled to payment in honor of Victory Day. They pressure you to provide your passport and bank card details under the guise that it's required for registration. Remember, any additional payments are made automatically to your pension account, so no action is needed on your part.
Scam #2: Medal for the 80th Anniversary of Victory
Again, scammers strike by offering to help you receive a Victory Day award – a medal. They'll ask for your passport details to "verify" your information and then ask for an SMS code, allowing them access to your personal account on the government services portal. But that's not their final target. Pretending to be employees of the Investigative Committee, they'll later call you, claiming that the scammers have obtained your data and are sending money to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They'll then ask you to "declare" your savings, which sounds ridiculous but is unfortunately happening.
Scam #3: Parade Invitation
Fancy attending a solemn event on such a significant day? Scammers take advantage of this, offering to reserve a seat on the tribune in your city. All you need to do is follow a link and fill out a form, leaving your personal data for them to misuse.
Scam #4: Malicious Greeting Cards
Scammers also exploit the tradition of sending greeting cards on Victory Day by sending malicious software in the form of a card that, once clicked, gives them full access to your smartphone. Be on the lookout for files with an ".apk" extension, as they are disguised as images and should raise suspicion.
Scam #5: Found Your Relative
This type of scam is aimed at a younger audience. Scammers pose as members of search teams, such as "Immortal Regiment," claiming that they've found information about a relative who died in WWII. They'll ask you to confirm the information by following a link or sending an SMS code, which takes you to a fake archival website where they collect your personal data.
Pro Tip:
Scammers will always ask for personal and banking information or demand money. Remember the golden rule: do not disclose any personal or financial information or transfer money to strangers. Stay safe, and enjoy the Victory Day celebrations!
Additional Information:
- Fake Charitable Donations: Scammers impersonate veterans' organizations or charities, soliciting funds for veterans, their families or Victory Day commemorations.
- Ticket and Merchandise Scams: Sale of fake tickets to Victory Day parades or commemorative merchandise.
- Phishing and Phone Scams: Phone calls pretending to be from government agencies, law enforcement, or veterans' groups, asking for personal information or money.
- Fake Official Communications: Messages pretending to be from government bodies, offering participation, certificates, or prizes in Victory Day activities.
- Be aware of pension fraudsters who claim you're entitled to payments in honor of Victory Day and ask for your passport and bank card details, but you should remember that any payments are made automatically to your pension account and no action is needed from you.
- Be cautious of fraudsters offering to assist with obtaining a Victory Day award – a medal, as these scammers may misuse your personal information and trick you into declaring your savings to the Investigative Committee.
- Refrain from accepting invitations to attend solemn events on Victory Day, especially if they require you to provide personal data through an online form.
- Avoid clicking on greeting cards with an ".apk" extension, as they may contain malicious software that could give scammers full access to your smartphone.
- Be wary of solicitations for charitable donations, the sale of fake tickets for Victory Day parades, commemorative merchandise, phone calls from individuals pretending to be from government agencies or veterans' groups, and fake official communications offering participation, certificates, or prizes in Victory Day activities. Instead, stick to reputable organizations when making donations or purchasing tickets.
