Online Scams & Fraud in Russia
Online scams and fraud have proliferated within the digital landscape of Russia, affecting individuals, businesses, and even government agencies. In recent years, Russia has witnessed a surge in various types of online scams and fraudulent schemes that exploit the anonymity and wide reach provided by the internet.
These scams range from online shopping scams, investment scams, cryptocurrency scams, phishing attacks, financial fraud, romance scams, and ponzi & pyramid schemes,
The prevalence of these illicit activities has not only resulted in substantial financial losses for individuals and organizations but has also eroded trust in online transactions, undermining the overall integrity of e-commerce.
Scam Statistics in Russia
The key statistics on online fraud in Russia, according to the Global Anti Scam Alliance.
| 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | |
| Population | 144 million | 144.3 million | 144 Million | 143 million |
| Internet Penetration | 76% | 76% | 81% | 86% |
| # of Scams | 200,000 | 5.3 million | 249,200 | |
| Scams / 1,000 | 1.4 | 37 | 1.74 | |
| Money Lost | € 111.7 million | € 1.74 billion | € 749 million | |
| Money Lost / Capita | € 0.77 | € 12.08 | € 5.68 | |
| Money Lost / Report | € 559 | € 327 | € 3,006.36 |
The figures in the table will differ strongly per year as various sources have been used, pending on availability.
Where Can I Report a Scam in Russia?
- Police- Contact your local police department to report any fraud or scam.
- Department K (short for Kompyuternye Prestupleniya)- You can reach them through email at press@cybercop.ru to report any cybercrime.
- ROCIT- This is a public organization and you can report any, low-quality Internet services, unscrupulous online stores, fraud and hacked accounts
How to Report a Scam in Russia
Reporting a scam is crucial. At the moment, only 7% of all scams are reported. As a result, only 0.05% of all cybercriminals are caught. Reporting online fraud is not only essential if you want to try and get your money back. It is also needed to help law enforcement fight scammers better.
- Gather info: Collect all information about the suspected fraud including the name, telephone, key web pages, emails, IP address, and any other information relevant. This is needed to file a complete report.
- Report the incident: Always report to your local law enforcement and note the file number they might provide for your fraud report for future reference.
- Stop the Money: Report the incident to the financial institution that transferred the money such as your bank, Paypal, credit card company, or the Internet payment service provider.
- Protect yourself: Scammers often contact you again. Sometimes with the same scam. Sometimes to help you “recover your money”. Consider changing your email address/phone number. Also, install the ScamAdviser browser extension to warn you of scams.
Our article “How and Where to Report a Scam” gives you more detail and tips on how you can best report online fraud.
Scam Victim Support in Russia
We are unaware of any scam victim support group(s) in Russia
How to check for a scam in Russia
Of course, you can always check for scams on ScamAdviser.com. However, there are several other sources where you can check if a website is registered as a company and if it can offer financial, gambling, or other regulated services as well.
- Financial CERT- You can check here for financial-related scams as they share fraudulent information with banks and law enforcement agencies.
- Yandex Safe Browsing API- You can use the Safe Browsing API to check URLs for threats as they scan the document/URLs to ensure there are no risks or danger lurking.
- Kaspersky Threat Intelligence Portal-Kaspersky is a renowned cybersecurity company and they offer a Threat Intelligence Portal that provides insights into the reputation and safety of websites, including information about potential scams, malware, and other threats.
Anti-Scam Organizations & Consumer Authorities
Russian Consumer Rights Protection Society (ROSPOTREBNADZOR) - ROSPOTREBNADZOR is a government agency responsible for consumer protection. They handle complaints related to consumer rights violations, including scams, defective products, and unfair trade practices.
Scam News From Russia
- Beware of Russian Internet Dating Scams in 2023
- Phishing scam invites Russian Telegram users to check ‘conscription lists’
- Number of Russian Financial Fraud Schemes Triple – Central Bank
Image source: unsplash.com
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Top Safety Picks
Your Go-To Tools for Online SafetyDisclaimer: Some of the links here are affiliate links. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
- ScamAdviser App - iOS : Your personal scam detector, on the go! Check website safety, report scams, and get instant alerts. Available on iOS
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