A troubling pattern surfaced through a Telegram channel identified as 112, reporting that a TV presenter and memoirist, Mikhail Shirvindt, became a target of online scammers who allegedly pressed him to transfer funds to a supposed friend in need. The narrative outlined how an unknown subscriber reached out claiming a close connection to Shirvindt and insisted there was an urgent emergency requiring a substantial amount of money, specifically 140 thousand rubles.
The story goes that Shirvindt promptly sent the requested funds, driven by concern and a sense of immediacy. Yet, once the money had left his hands, doubts crept in. A quick check with that supposed friend revealed no emergency and no desire for money in the first place. The discrepancy prompted Shirvindt to verify the situation, uncovering that the alleged emergency did not exist and that the supposed friend had not asked for any financial help.
According to the channel’s report, law enforcement opened an inquiry into the incident, signaling the seriousness of the matter and the need to trace the fraudulent outreach. While the particulars of the case remain under investigation, the episode underscores the risk of social engineering schemes that prey on trust and the urgent tone scammers employ to bypass rational caution.
In a separate incident described by the channel, a security-minded bank employee in Maryina Roscha, Moscow, acted to shield an elderly client from potential exploitation. The bank veteran, who previously worked at a local branch, recounted an event involving a visitor who appeared to be an older adult seeking to withdraw a large sum, around 500 thousand rubles. The teller, noting signs that the senior might be under the influence of fraudsters, took swift action to prevent a hasty transfer into a “secure account.”
In response to the suspicious behavior, the teller contacted authorities and requested their immediate presence at the office. The goal was to present law enforcement with the opportunity to speak with the visitor directly and persuade her not to surrender her savings to unknown individuals. The sequence of events highlighted the vigilance needed in financial transactions and the important role bank staff can play in protecting vulnerable customers from scams that exploit fear or urgency.