Scammers in Russia have devised a deceitful method to extort money from unsuspecting citizens, using threats of fines for visiting specific websites.
Transfer Directly to Russian Ministry
According to Lenta individuals have been receiving notifications demanding payments of 5,500 rubles, purportedly for accessing sites aimed at discrediting the Russian Armed Forces.
These fraudulent messages often appear as pop-ups while users browse potentially unsafe websites.
They intimidate recipients with warnings of legal repercussions, including criminal charges and the dispatch of investigative teams for arrest. To evade these supposed consequences, scammers instruct victims to transfer the fine directly to a card labeled as belonging to the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD).
Avoid Clicking
The scheme has gained attention after multiple reports surfaced, highlighting the deceptive tactics employed by fraudsters. Telegram channel Baza first flagged the issue, noting the emergence of warning pop-ups that falsely claim individuals have been blocked for accessing anti-Russian military websites.
This latest ploy follows a previous scam where Russians were targeted with demands for payment of a "tax on special vehicles," with links provided that allowed scammers to siphon money directly from victims' bank accounts.
Experts advise users to avoid clicking on unfamiliar links or disclosing personal information to mitigate the risk of falling victim to such scams.
As authorities continue to investigate these incidents, the public is urged to remain cautious and report any suspicious communications to law enforcement.
