The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has issued a warning regarding a new sophisticated scam targeting Russian citizens. Malefactors are utilizing fake websites that mimic Telegram`s official Fragment platform to deceive users, leading to financial losses.
How the Elaborate Scam Works
Fraudsters initiate contact with potential victims by posing as «buyers» interested in purchasing digital nicknames. Their primary goal is not the nickname itself, but to convince users of the transaction`s legitimacy and demand an inflated price. They leverage the genuine existence of the Fragment platform, where unique usernames are indeed traded for cryptocurrency, to add a layer of credibility to their scheme.
These scammers then propose a «direct request,» sending victims a deceptive phishing link. Upon clicking this link, the user is redirected to a counterfeit mini-application that is meticulously designed to appear almost identical to the authentic one. Once inside, victims are coerced into depositing funds or paying a 5% commission fee, ostensibly to finalize the purported deal. Immediately after the money transfer is completed, the scammer vanishes, leaving the defrauded individual without their funds and often with no recourse.
MVD`s Urgent Public Warning
«We urge citizens to treat any offer as fraudulent if it involves undue pressure, asks you to switch to a third-party bot, disclose a personal code, or make any form of advance payment. Always meticulously verify official platform addresses and bot names before proceeding with any transaction,» the department emphatically stated in its alert.
Understanding the Official Fragment Platform
It is crucial to distinguish between the fraudulent imitation and the legitimate Fragment trading platform, which was officially launched in 2022. Operating securely on the TON blockchain, the authentic Fragment platform provides users with a safe and anonymous environment to purchase and sell various digital assets. These assets include unique usernames (often referred to as nicknames) and virtual phone numbers specifically designed for Telegram. Understanding the legitimate platform`s functionalities is key to identifying and avoiding fraudulent imitations.
