Minsk Resident Traveled to Smolensk to Deliver 120,000 Rubles to Scammers
In October, a 30-year-old resident of the capital received a message on Telegram from a person who introduced himself as her manager. On his behalf, the woman was informed that an employee of the State Control Committee would soon contact her to resolve an operational issue.
A few minutes later, she indeed received a call in the messenger. The unknown person introduced himself as an employee of state security agencies and reported that confidential information was leaking from the Minsk resident's workplace, and scammers had already taken out loans in her name.
According to the fraudster, National Bank employees were involved in the investigation.
Soon another scammer contacted her, introducing herself as a bank employee. She confirmed the false information about supposedly existing loans and, referring to an "operational investigation," advised her to apply for loans at banks to protect her funds.
To finally convince the victim, the scammers organized a video call. A man in uniform elements and with a service ID gave instructions, under whose dictation the woman wrote a statement.
The next day, she was asked to take out loans in three additional banks and transfer the funds through an international payment system.
The demands did not end there. Under pressure, the woman collected all her family's savings and traveled to Smolensk, where she transferred these funds as well. In addition, she was forced to take out an installment plan for a mobile phone, sell the device, and also send the proceeds to the scammers.
The victim's suspicions arose only after the "operative" ordered her to delete all correspondence. Realizing the deception, she reported it to the police. The total damage amounted to over 120,000 rubles.