Warning! The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation alerts citizens to a sophisticated new method of fraud that exploits fake applications mimicking the popular Mir Pay payment system.
According to reports from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, cybercriminals have begun actively deploying malicious programs that appear almost identical to the genuine Mir Pay application. These counterfeit applications allow fraudsters to covertly siphon funds directly from victims` bank accounts when they use ATMs.
The elaborate scam operates as follows: criminals cunningly persuade users to install fake contactless payment applications on their smartphones. This deception is frequently carried out under the guise of a crucial «reinstallation» or «update» for a legitimate banking application. Once these fraudulent programs are installed, the perpetrators employ a specialized technique they refer to as «reverse NFC.» This technology enables the fake Mir Pay app to establish a connection between the victim`s smartphone and the bank cards belonging to the criminals themselves.
«Consequently, when an unsuspecting citizen approaches an ATM and taps their smartphone to conduct a transaction, the funds are not debited to their own account, but are instead transferred to the unfamiliar cards controlled by the fraudsters,» clarified the Ministry`s press center.
Cybersecurity expert Alexey Luzhnov, who heads BI.ZONE AntiFraud, previously highlighted that older, seemingly outdated fraudulent schemes frequently re-emerge in modified and more sophisticated forms. This evolving threat landscape underscores the critical need for constant vigilance among users to protect their financial security.
