Exposed Scams Attempting to Exploit Solidarity with Political Prisoners
Unjust Treatment: Political Prisoner Nalivko Suffers Betrayal as Fellow Inmate Abramuk Pockets Intended Post-Release Aid
Two former detainees allegedly got swindled post-release, graphically illustrating the cunning ways scams operate amid solidarity movements, even duping charitable organizations like "Baytsol". Here's an inside look at how these pervasive scams operate and how to stay protected.
One of the victims, Sergei Nalyvko, was known for his poignant tale of a love affair with a chemist. Upon freedom in October 2024, he reached out to "Baytsol" for financial support. In response, they pledged assistance and allocated a sizeable sum. As Nalyvko was still in Belarus, he sought assistance from his ex-cellmate, Dmitry Abramuk, residing in Warsaw, to receive the funds.
Upon request, Abramuk willingly provided the account details. Nalyvko forwarded them to "Baytsol", and the money was instantly transferred. Elated, Nalyvko enquired about the funds, only to find that Abramuk had vanished without a trace. Desperate, Nalyvko learned that Abramuk had blocked him across all platforms and ceased all communication. Friends reported that Abramuk mysteriously disappeared, indicating that he was intentionally hiding from people.
Despite the debacle, "Baytsol" maintained that such incidents are rare. They advised caution when transferring funds to individuals and advised against blind trust in past associations or hardships, regardless of prison ties.
On the flip side, Dmitry Abramuk defended his actions, claiming that he had never been informed that any funds were coming his way. He added that he simply received mysterious messages to share his account details, and he complied, regardless of if he knew it was Nalyvko. Abramuk claimed that no one had given him permission to accept money on his behalf and questioned why "Baytsol" had not contacted him directly before transferring the funds.
In a series of subsequent conversations with a journalist from "Nasha Niva", Abramuk admitted to receiving the money for Nalyvko but denied accusations of scamming him. However, he eventually started denying that money was sent to his account, claiming he had never made such a statement. Abramuk continued to issue threats if his comments were published and warned of dire consequences for the journalist.
Insight: Criminal elements often attempt to prey upon the sympathy and generosity of those rallying around political prisoners and charitable organizations. Learning and incorporating the advice provided by "Baytsol" can help protect donors and recipients alike from falling victim to such scams.
Scams exploiting the solidarity of political prisoners have been exposed, as illustrated by the incident involving Sergei Nalyvko and Dmitry Abramuk. Even general-news organizations and charities like "Baytsol" are not immune to such crime-and-justice schemes. To avoid being duped, it's crucial to exercise caution when transferring funds to individuals and maintain direct communication with intended recipients.
