State Duma Deputy Anton Nemkin details how scammers trick seniors with promises of new benefits.
Online Scams Targeting Seniors
Anton Nemkin, a State Duma deputy responsible for information policy, has issued a stark warning regarding new fraudulent schemes specifically targeting elderly citizens. These scammers are actively misleading pensioners by offering them non-existent social payments and financial benefits.
Nemkin explained that these fraudsters typically employ enticing online advertisements, promising a range of fictitious government benefits, bonuses, or even recalculations of pensions. When a user clicks on such an advertisement, they are often redirected to sophisticated fake websites designed to mimic official resources, such as the Russian Pension Fund (PFR) or the «Gosuslugi» (State Services) portal. To enhance their deceptive tactics, these fraudulent sites frequently incorporate official state symbols to create a convincing illusion of legitimacy.
How Fraudsters Operate
«On these deceptive websites, individuals are coaxed into revealing highly sensitive personal data,» Nemkin stated. He elaborated that scammers typically request passport details, bank card numbers, or prompt users to undergo `identification` through online banking systems. Adding to their deceit, victims are often asked to pay a «state duty» or a «transfer fee» to supposedly access these promised funds. Unfortunately, when individuals comply with these demands, their financial assets and confidential personal information are immediately compromised and fall into the hands of these criminals.
The deputy emphasized a critical point: elderly individuals frequently place undue trust in information found online, especially if it appears to be officially sanctioned or if it promises financial advantages. To prevent falling victim to such elaborate hoaxes, Nemkin strongly advised that any information concerning potential payments or benefits should only be verified through official government portals. These include trusted sources like the PFR website, the Russian Ministry of Labor`s official site, or the secure Gosuslugi platform.
New Fraud Trends
In addition to these social payment scams, a new type of fraud scheme has recently emerged, specifically targeting product deliveries, with a focus on cosmetics. In this particular scenario, scammers cunningly request an SMS verification code from the victim, falsely claiming it is necessary to finalize or confirm a non-existent order. This tactic allows them to gain unauthorized access, often to online accounts or banking information linked to the phone number.
