A new fraud scheme in which the victim is threatened with the imminent deletion of his Telegram account is gaining popularity in Russia. To save you need to send the code via SMS, reports Hi-Tech Mail refers to State Duma deputy Anton Nemkin.
The scheme works like this: the user receives a message, supposedly from Telegram technical support, with a request to delete an account. To cancel, the code from SMS is required. Attackers then send a link to a fake Telegram, Gosuslug or other service site; Here, the victim is asked to enter a phone number and go through authorization, then this data is intercepted, correspondence is deleted and the victim is blocked.
The resulting data is used to access personal bank accounts and delete money from accounts or apply for loans. Attackers are finding potential victims on various Telegram channels and targeting adults and retirees who are less familiar with the messaging app’s functionality.
Nemkin emphasized that attackers often appeal to authority by posing as government officials or platform administrators. Russians who encounter this situation should immediately stop communicating with the fraudster.
Previously it became clearHe said fraudsters hacked inactive profiles of Russians on WhatsApp.