The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) has issued a recent warning to Russian citizens regarding a growing scam where fraudsters pose as legitimate employers. These criminals offer fake job vacancies, primarily with the intent of extorting money from unsuspecting job seekers. This crucial alert was disseminated via the Telegram channel «Vestnik Cyberpolitsii Rossii» (Herald of Russian Cyberpolice).
According to the MIA, these perpetrators frequently utilize popular messaging applications such as Telegram and WhatsApp to distribute their deceptive job offers. A particularly cunning aspect of their scheme is the use of names belonging to genuine, established organizations, lending an air of authenticity to their fraudulent proposals. Victims are often led through a simulated training or internship phase, during which they might even receive a token initial payment, further solidifying the scam`s credibility.
However, the crucial moment of financial theft occurs when the fraudsters demand money under the guise of various fees. These typically include alleged tax payments or charges for processing essential employment documents. The MIA explicitly states that it is at this stage where the victim`s funds are stolen, making it a critical red flag to watch out for.
To safeguard against becoming a victim of such employment fraud, the Ministry of Internal Affairs strongly advises adhering to several key precautions. First and foremost, remember that legitimate employers will never demand payment for document processing during the hiring process. Secondly, exercise extreme caution with job offers where all communication and interviews are conducted exclusively through messaging apps, as this is a common tactic used by scammers.
Furthermore, authorities recommend verifying the legitimacy of any potential employer by consulting official resources, such as the website of the Federal Tax Service. The MIA emphatically concludes that any request to transfer money under the pretext of a salary return is 100% a fraudulent scheme and should be immediately recognized as such.
This warning follows previous reports of other scam tactics, including fraudsters attempting to intimidate Russians by threatening to block their phone numbers through messages sent via various messaging platforms.
