Cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky Lab have reported a new email scam that exploits the recent arrest of Pavel Durov, the founder of Telegram, in France.
Surge in Spam Mails
The warning was issued on August 26, following a surge in spam emails that appeared the day after Durov's detention, according to Meduza.
The fraudulent messages, purportedly from various human rights organizations, claim to seek funds for Durov's freedom and to protect human rights globally. Recipients are urged to “contribute” by sending cryptocurrency to various wallets listed in the emails.
Kaspersky Lab noted that the scammers use various tactics to bypass spam filters, including changing wording and using synonyms.
Terms like "help" and "support" are often swapped with "donate" and "raise," while the names of the organizations requesting donations are altered to make the emails appear legitimate.
Remember to Verify Authenticity
Durov was arrested on August 24 upon arriving in Paris on a private jet, as part of a criminal investigation launched on July 8 against unidentified individuals for multiple offenses. French authorities are currently interrogating Durov regarding the allegations, although the specifics of the investigation have not been disclosed.
Kaspersky Lab's alert highlights the importance of caution when receiving unsolicited emails, particularly those requesting financial assistance for causes that may not be genuine.
Individuals are encouraged to verify the authenticity of such communications before taking any action, especially when it involves sending money or sensitive information.
