Financial fraud targets a prominent Russian scholar amid cyberattacks on state institutions
A senior researcher in criminal law and criminology, noted for a scholarly study on crimes against commercial, tax, and banking secrets, faced a sophisticated fraud scheme that led to losses exceeding 6.6 million rubles. The account of the incident has been summarized by a Telegram channel report from Mash, which highlighted the seriousness of the breach.
Just before the New Year break, the scholar received a voice message on Telegram from someone presenting as a former colleague. The message claimed that a deputy minister from the Ministry of Education and Science wished to speak with him. When asked why, the caller offered little explanation, replying only, “I don’t know.”
The narrative continued with an account of a person who allegedly located the scholar on Google, arranged a call from a reception desk, and requested a callback. The message described a waiting period during which an official supposedly called back. In reality, the person on the other end was a fake official, the post asserts.
According to Mash, the individual became a victim of Ukrainian cybercriminals who diverted funds to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The attackers purportedly infiltrated the website of the Ministry of Education and Science and created fraudulent loans under the names of scientists, including the scholar in question. More than 6.6 million rubles were moved to the fraudsters’ controlled account under this pretense.
Earlier, socialbites.ca had warned that Russians should be vigilant after the holidays, anticipating a rise in financial fraud activity. The warnings reflected a broader concern about scam waves that often intensify around festive periods, when organizations and individuals may be distracted or operating with tightened processes.
Industry observers, including Evgeniy Egorov, a leading expert in the Digital Risk Protection department at FACCT, forecast that fraudsters could become more active in 2024 compared with the previous year. Experts stress the importance of heightened awareness, robust verification practices, and rapid reporting channels to mitigate losses in the face of evolving cyber threats.
Experts emphasize several practical steps for researchers and public institutions to defend against similar schemes. First, verify any urgent official requests through direct, independent contact channels rather than relying on messages received through social or messaging apps. Second, implement multi-factor authentication and suspicious-activity alerts for financial accounts, especially those linked to institutional funds. Third, ensure that financial operations, even when appearing urgent, undergo a secondary, documented review by a trusted administrator. Finally, promote ongoing cyber hygiene training among staff and researchers to recognize phishing attempts that use familiar names or titles to create a sense of legitimacy.
While the specifics of the case remain under investigation, the broader takeaway is clear: cybercriminals frequently exploit trust and authority cues to coax individuals into transferring funds or revealing sensitive data. Institutions are urging communities to stay vigilant, employ formal escalation procedures, and rely on official channels for confirmations and approvals. The incident serves as a reminder that even scholars with strong credentials can fall victim to well-orchestrated social engineering schemes, particularly when the attackers exploit current events and public interest in military or political developments.