Comedian and actor Roman Khan became a victim of a sophisticated scam that unfolded through online interactions and messaging channels. Reports circulating on a Telegram channel describe how the events began when Khan connected with an woman who presented herself as a tourism manager named Anastasia. The exchange started on a social network, where the supposed professional offered an option to unwind and enjoy a private getaway. Trusting the contact, Khan agreed to proceed and sent an advance payment. After reviewing some documents, he transferred the remaining balance. In total, the actor remitted 167 thousand rubles. The sequence of steps suggested a legitimate arrangement, but the pattern was a classic setup intended to elicit financial loss from the target.
Once the payment was completed and the documents were submitted, the person posing as Anastasia ceased all communication. The abrupt disappearance was a red flag, and Khan soon realized that he had fallen prey to scammers. He reported the incident to the police and began the process of pursuing recourse. This case underscores a common scam dynamic where an initial friendly contact leads to a request for payment under the guise of securing a service or opportunity, only to vanish with the funds. It serves as a cautionary tale about verifying identities and never sending money to someone who cannot be independently verified.
In another incident reported on October 11, Natalya, the former wife of Mike Naumenko, the lead singer previously associated with the rock group Zoo, was revealed to be a victim of a phone fraud scheme. An unidentified caller claimed to be an employee of a central financial authority and asserted that scammers were attempting to obtain a loan in her name. The caller warned that inaction could result in legal action against her, accused of aiding terrorist activities in Ukrainian territory. The pressure and urgency created by such threats are typical tactics used to provoke fear and poor judgment.
Subsequently, Naumenko received a call from someone purporting to be an officer from a security service. Acting on the instructions conveyed by the caller, the woman reportedly took out a loan and then transferred 77 thousand rubles to an account specified by the scammers. Authorities have launched an investigation into the incident, highlighting the ongoing risk of financial manipulation through high-pressure phone expeditions.
Earlier in their career, the star of the television series Daddy’s Little Girls became entangled in a similar ruse, illustrating that no public figure is immune to these kinds of fraud attempts. The recurring thread across these cases is the manipulation of trust and authority, often leveraging personal connections, dramatic narratives, or official-sounding language to prompt quick, ill-considered actions. Experts advise verifying the identity of anyone requesting money, especially when the communication arrives from unfamiliar numbers, social platforms, or channels that seem informal yet present a professional veneer. A careful approach includes independent cross-checking of credentials, consulting official channels, and seeking a second opinion before transferring funds or sharing sensitive information. This is a reminder that scams are a global concern and that residents in both Canada and the United States should remain vigilant when confronted with enticing offers that require immediate financial commitments. The emphasis remains on caution, documentation, and reporting suspicious activity to relevant authorities. Attributions: authorities and crime reporting services cautioned the public to exercise verification steps and to document all communications for later review. This guidance is consistent with safety practices recommended in many jurisdictions to protect individuals from falling prey to fraudulent schemes. [citation: law enforcement advisories]