Warning Issued by the Ministry of Internal Affairs: Be Wary of Deceptive Phone Calls Claiming to Be From Military Commissions
Fraud Alert: Phone Scams Impersonating Military Recruitment Staff in Russia
A new form of fraud targeting Russians has emerged, with scammers impersonating military enlistment office employees. These fraudsters, who have been active since at least 2024, are exploiting the ongoing war situation and mobilization efforts to lure victims.
The scammers often make phone calls or approach victims through social media, promising large salaries for service in the "special military operation." However, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reiterates that they do not call citizens to ask for personal information or confirmation codes.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs' Cybercrime Unit revealed this scheme on August 2. According to the unit, these scammers are attempting to gain access to victims' personal accounts on the "Gosuslugi" portal by asking for SMS codes, purportedly to update information in the registry of electronic summons. In reality, the scammers use the SMS code to gain control over victims' personal accounts.
The calls appear to come from unknown numbers, and the scammers use fear and stress to manipulate people, aggressively pressuring them. Irina Volk, the Official Ministry of Internal Affairs spokesperson, emphasized that the Ministry does not call citizens to ask for personal information or confirmation codes.
Victims who fall for these scams may suffer substantial financial and legal harms. They may be persuaded to sign fraudulent contracts or powers of attorney, leading to significant financial losses. In some cases, there are reports of fraudulent marriages and falsified documents associated with military service used to claim death gratuity payments fraudulently, which have legal consequences when uncovered.
To protect yourself from these scams, the Ministry of Internal Affairs advises citizens to be vigilant and cautious when receiving calls from unknown numbers. They recommend not responding to such calls and immediately ending communication with potential fraudsters. If you receive a suspicious call, report it to the authorities to help prevent others from falling victim to these scams.
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- The ongoing phone scams in Russia, disguised as military recruitment, are not only limited to phone calls but also extend to general-news platforms and crime-and-justice discussions, subtly weaving their deceitful narrative into various forums.
- In addition to the evolving phone scams, which have gripped Russia since 2024, there are concerning reports of these fraudsters meddling in politics-related discourses, capitalizing on the tension and confusion to further ensnare unwary victims.
