Russian Man Loses 3 Million Rubles to Fake Brokerage Scam in Ussuriysk
A 63-year-old man in Ussuriysk has lost over 3 million rubles to a fake brokerage scam. The victim, responding to an offer in a messaging app, transferred his savings to accounts he believed belonged to a legitimate investment firm. Authorities have now launched a criminal investigation into the fraud. The incident began when the victim received a message promising quick and easy profits. The scammers posed as representatives of a brokerage company, offering to invest his money for high returns. Trusting the offer, he transferred more than 3 million rubles to their accounts.
After the transfer, the fraudsters told him that withdrawing his supposed earnings would require an additional fee. Suspecting deception, the man contacted the police. The case has since been classified as large-scale fraud under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code.
The Primorsky Territory Prosecutor's Office has taken over the investigation. This case follows a broader trend: in 2025, the Bank of Russia recorded 7,087 financial pyramid and fake broker schemes, with over 5,700 operating online. While the number dropped by 21.5% from the previous year, such scams remain widespread. The victim's report has triggered an official probe into the fraudulent operation. Investigators will determine whether the scammers targeted others using the same method. The case highlights the persistent risk of online investment scams in Russia.
