The Central Bank of Russia has issued a warning about a new fraud method tied to the recently updated five thousand ruble banknote. The alert circulated via a Telegram channel associated with the central bank, drawing attention to the evolving scheme.
Fraudsters impersonate bank representatives and contact customers to push the verification of banknotes through a counterfeit mobile app titled “Banknotes of the Bank of Russia.” The fraudulent app imitates the legitimate Central Bank application, but its true purpose is to install malware that grants attackers access to the victim’s devices and data.
The tactic exploits victims by gaining control over their phones and then attempting to access linked banking services to steal funds. In a separate ruse, criminals posing as social workers go door-to-door to pressure residents into exchanging old five-thousand ruble notes for new, allegedly counterfeit notes. These approaches are designed to exploit fear and misinformation around currency updates.
The Central Bank emphasizes that the official application does not provide authentication of banknotes and that any exchange offers presented under the guise of authenticity verification should be treated with extreme caution. The bank urges users to rely on trusted channels and official guidance when dealing with currency updates and mobile financial tools.
Earlier guidance outlined five rules to prevent scammers from deceiving people, underscoring the importance of skepticism and verification in handling currency and financial apps. [Source: Central Bank of Russia]