Cybercrime, including phone and online fraud, has become a dominant aspect of crime statistics in Russia, accounting for about one third of all registered offenses. This was highlighted by Prosecutor General Igor Krasnov during the expanded meeting of the Prosecutor General’s Office, reflecting on the results of 2023.
According to Krasnov, cybercrimes rose again and their share of total crimes reached 35 percent for the first time, signaling a shift in the criminal landscape and the need for heightened preventive measures.
In recent assessments, only about a quarter of these offenses are solved, leaving compensation for victims relatively modest. The gap between crimes and recoveries underscores ongoing challenges in prosecuting and solving cyber cases, as well as the persistent vulnerability of victims to online and remote fraud.
Fraudsters frequently target vulnerable groups, including pensioners and children, exploiting naivety and trust to carry out illicit activities. Moreover, criminals continually devise new schemes to circumvent existing preventive measures, making cybercrime a moving target for law enforcement, financial institutions, and digital service providers.
In response, Krasnov urged prosecutors to strengthen cooperation with other agencies to counter cybercrime, particularly in the use of specialized technical tools that help detect and disrupt fraudulent activities, including mass digital surveillance and data extraction efforts. He also stressed the importance of coordinated efforts with banks, mobile operators, and internet service providers to educate the public about digital threats and to improve early warning systems.
Data from Moscow for the previous year show more than 51.9 thousand cases of remote fraud and theft, with citizens over 66 years old comprising more than 10 thousand of the victims. Women were noted as the majority of those affected. The statistics point to a growing need for targeted protection programs and accessible reporting channels to help vulnerable groups recognize and report fraud.
Additional context from official briefings indicates that cyber threats are evolving alongside technological adoption, requiring ongoing collaboration between law enforcement, the financial sector, and technology providers to build resilient defenses and transparent, timely public communication about risks in the digital environment.