Fraud Case in Voronezh Region Highlights Phone-Number Theft and Payment Deception

In the Voronezh region, a court ruling was issued regarding a local resident who used deception to obtain the phone number of a customer at a car service and then stole 15,000 rubles from a man under the pretense of paying for repairs, according to the press service of the Anninsky District Court. The decision outlines a criminal scheme from September 2022 in which the defendant sought to exploit online advertisements for car services to harvest legitimate owners’ phone numbers from a website. The courts noted that the scheme relied on contacting people whose cars were listed for repair and presenting himself as a representative of a car service, creating a false sense of legitimacy to gain trust and access to funds. The goal was simple but criminal: persuade the victim to transfer money to the scammer under the cover of paying for a repair. In one instance, the accused used a stolen card to facilitate the transfer after convincing the Renault owner to send 15,000 rubles for a painting job on the vehicle. The conviction resulted in a one-year prison sentence for fraud. The court’s statement highlights that the fraudulent method combined online information gathering with direct, in-person or telecommunication-based manipulation to extract funds from unsuspecting car owners. The case serves as a reminder of the risks tied to relying on digital clues and business listings when dealing with car services, and it underscores the importance of verifying the identity of service providers and the sources of payment requests [Press service of the Anninsky District Court]. In a separate, earlier report, it was noted that a Lada driver died in Bashkiria after a passenger exited the vehicle in a manner that raised questions about the circumstances of the crash. An examination concluded that the driver was sober at the time of the accident, adding another layer of complexity to the regional incidents involving motor vehicles and road safety [court update]. This sequence of events illustrates how vulnerable individuals can become targets of fraud and how quick, impulsive actions at times of vehicle maintenance may lead to serious consequences. Authorities stress that staying cautious when engaging with online listings, confirming beneficiary details, and using secure payment channels can mitigate the risk of similar fraud schemes in the future. The case also emphasizes the role of careful record-keeping and reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement. By sharing these findings, local authorities aim to raise public awareness and deter potential offenders, reinforcing the message that fraud-related harm is a crime with real, tangible consequences for victims and their families.