Phone scammers have devised a new fraudulent scheme targeting Russians, involving the «issuance of magnetic keys» for barrier gates. Yuri Silaev, head of the Trusted Artificial Intelligence Laboratory at RTU MIREA, disclosed details of this new tactic.
Silaev warned that these fraudsters pose as representatives of management companies or homeowners` associations (HOAs), promising «free access and order in the yard.» Under the guise of installing a barrier «for yard security,» they offer residents free «magnetic keys» or «chips.» Once an unsuspecting individual agrees, the scammers request a code from an SMS message for «activation.» In reality, they are attempting to gain access to the victim`s online banking account.
«The only true rule is: never dictate codes from SMS messages or push notifications,» the expert emphasized. Silaev further noted that payments for barrier installation should always be made strictly to official legal entity requisites, not via transfers to a private individual`s card.
This scam follows a previous report about criminals developing a two-stage scheme to steal data by offering personalized intercom codes.
