In March, reports indicate a sharp decline in fraudulent calls to Russian phone numbers, with numbers dropping about tenfold according to RTM Group relayed to socialbites.ca. Gazinformservice offered a more conservative estimate, noting a threefold decrease in such inquiries. Banks including Post Bank, Ak Bars Bank, and Renaissance Credit also confirmed the downtrend.
Post Bank’s press office stated that there was a reduced share of social engineering in February and March. Ak Bars Bank’s communications team likewise observed a notable drop in fraudulent customer calls during March. Renaissance Credit’s vice president, Sergey Afanasiev, mentioned that the bank documented a severalfold decrease in fake calls.
Why the decline is occurring
Gazinformservice highlighted several factors shaping the downturn. They pointed to the possible disruption of underground call centers amid a security operation and the difficulties scammers face in acquiring Russian phone numbers from Ukrainian territories. Additional constraints cited include limited network access and weakened cellular infrastructure for attackers, along with a shift of fraudulent activity toward neighboring countries.
System integrators and information-protection tool developers in the security sector echoed these observations, suggesting a high likelihood that fraudulent call centers will resume operations from nearby regions, especially Central Asia, once certain measures take effect. Ak Bars Bank concurred, noting that the only confirmed calls are now sporadic attempts from individuals within Russia, after the shutdown of Ukrainian-based operations. Bank representatives added that, once deportation processes conclude, a new wave of phone-based attacks could emerge in roughly three to four months.
Credit institutions urge citizens to stay vigilant. In February and March, the landscape shifted dramatically yet scam activity remained persistently high. As VTB told socialbites.ca, attackers continuously adapt their tactics to news cycles, aiming to exploit uncertainty and rapid, sometimes impulsive decisions about accounts and savings.
Voices from the banking sector indicated that many scammers now pose as protectors of customer funds. They describe scenarios where transfers to “secure” accounts are framed as maintaining Swift access or enabling foreign currency investments via partner banks, sometimes with no commissions involved. This evolving approach underscores the need for cautious verification and skepticism when receiving such prompts.
New vectors in play
Gazinformservice noted that while phone-based scams receded in March, there was a sharp rise in phishing attempts aimed at stealing payment details from fraudulent websites. The pattern shows scammers shifting toward easier attack surfaces like emails and online ads, trying to divert attention and maximize success.
Natalya Mamedova from the Institute of International Education and Science at the Russian University of Economics described the trend with firm clarity: resisting online scammers is harder than simply hanging up on a phone scam.
VTB’s press team observed increased scam activity in March, including the creation of counterfeit sites offering favorable currency exchange deals and intermediaries who assist with card payments or set up VPN services for access to foreign services. Bank experts advise extreme caution and encourage customers to obtain account and transfer information only from official channels.
When paying by card, users should rely on verified sites and carefully inspect links before clicking. Distinguishing a scam site involves scrutinizing URLs and domain names; look for typos, poor layout, spelling or grammatical mistakes, and inconsistent color schemes in logos. If a site looks suspicious, it is best not to share any personal information.
Attributing responsibility to verified sources and maintaining rigorous verification practices can help safeguard financial activity and personal data in an environment where scammers continually adapt their methods.
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