Crooks Begin Demanding "Gosluga" Access Keys from Pupils for Ransom
In recent times, a spate of new scams has been making the rounds in Russia, according to reports from various security experts and news outlets. These scams, while varying in their methods, share a common goal: to deceive individuals and steal their personal information or money.
One of the latest scams to emerge involves a two-step process. Scammers, posing as flower delivery services, contact victims and request an SMS code for order verification with the courier. This initial stage is designed to gain access to the victim's personal information.
It's important to note that such requests for SMS codes should never be made by strangers. Experts from 'Neiroinform' advise against transferring money on demand and warn against sharing SMS codes with strangers.
Contrary to earlier scams that involved school-related activities or authorities, this new scam does not involve school repair fundraisers or the hacking of teacher pages. Scammers are instead impersonating Roskomnadzor employees in the second stage of the scam.
Another form of scam that has been on the rise involves fake traffic violation notices. These notices, sent via SMS or email, are designed to steal bank card data or infect devices with viruses. The MVD has warned about these scams since August, emphasising that official notifications only come through official channels like 'Gosuslugi'.
Scammers are also targeting children, tricking them into granting access to personal data and relatives' accounts under the guise of helping parents. This underscores the importance of educating children about the dangers of online scams.
The reported increase in suspicious calls from unknown numbers suggests a rising trend in scam activities in Russia. According to 'Kaspersky Lab', the share of Russian users encountering such calls, potentially related to fraud, increased by nearly 3% in the first quarter of 2025 compared to the same period in 2024, reaching 43%.
These new scams have resulted in the theft of hundreds of thousands of rubles, according to a company. It's a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and caution when dealing with unfamiliar contacts online.
As always, it's crucial to stay informed and follow the advice of security experts. Never share sensitive information with strangers, be wary of unsolicited requests for personal data, and always verify the authenticity of any communication before responding. By doing so, we can help protect ourselves and our loved ones from these harmful scams.
