The Tinkoff Ecosystem Security Center has detected a fresh fraudulent scenario tied to used car purchases through the Tinkoff Protection platform. This new scheme relies on coordinated groups that operate across social networks, messaging apps like Telegram, and various classifieds or individual sites. These groups pose as specialists who curate, acquire, and ready vehicles for shipment, luring buyers with the promise of seamless service and fast delivery.
In practice, scammers invite victims to place a deposit for the transport and delivery of a car. Once the funds are transferred, the scammers vanish, disconnecting from all contact and effectively blocking the buyer. Tinkoff Protection has identified more than 400 active channels where fraudsters recruit and trap unsuspecting customers. This figure is not stable; new groups appear while others disappear and sites get blocked, creating a fluctuating landscape of risk.
From July to August 2022, these attacks surged four to five times compared with the start of the year, and the rise continues. On average, the scam checks secure about 300 thousand rubles per incident. The surge reflects how quickly scammers adapt and how eager buyers can become when a seemingly attractive deal is involved. Security teams continuously monitor patterns and adjust defenses, but the evolving nature of these channels makes complete preemption challenging.
Tinkoff Zashchita began an enhanced review process for high-risk transactions, analyzing hundreds of factors. These include transfers to new banking details, unusually large sums, and rapid sequences of actions designed to create a sense of legitimacy. When a transaction is blocked and a security officer reaches out, the buyer may still be convinced that the purchase is legitimate. Some may insist on proceeding, especially if they believe they are close to securing a dream car. This dynamic shows why real-time verification is essential and why customer outreach must be clear, calm, and persistent in ensuring safe outcomes.
The potential pool of victims is not yet extensive, but the combination of growing interest in buying abroad and the sizable average loss suggests the risk of multi-million ruble consequences in the near term. The bank continues to track unusual payment activity, but it cannot guarantee prevention if a customer remains convinced after contact and pushes ahead with the transfer. The prudent path for anyone looking to buy a used car from overseas is to rely on trusted specialists and widely recognized channels with substantial audiences and solid reputations. It is equally important to demand verifiable documentation from these professionals, such as service contracts, clear identity verification, and records that confirm the legitimacy of the service provider before any funds are moved.
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