Russian followers of wealthy bloggers and participants of the Dom-2 program became targets of scammers promoting a counterfeit Apple store with apparently “special” prices. The incident was reported by the newspaper News. The scam involved a campaign that used well-known bloggers and online personalities to push a message about guaranteed direct delivery of Apple devices from the United States at prices allegedly two to three times lower than market rates. A video advertisement appeared in the Instagram stories feed, a platform owned by Meta, which has faced restrictions and bans in Russia.
After payments were made, the promised prepaid devices never arrived at any of the buyers. Reports indicate that each victim transferred about 15,000 rubles to the scammers, with total losses in the tens of thousands of rubles for individuals across various Russian regions. The scammers themselves remain at large, with no arrests reported as of yet.
The advertisers and the bloggers who collaborated with them tried to distance themselves from the scheme. Izvestia spoke with several of the bloggers involved, who claimed they were cheated by the campaign and that they could only face administrative penalties under current rules. The article cites Article 14.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses, which concerns violations of advertising legislation. For criminal liability to apply, it would have to be proven that the advertiser knowingly engaged with scammers and deliberately misled their subscribers.
Previously, the publication socialbites.ca discussed how chatbot users are at risk of falling prey to similar traps, highlighting a broader risk landscape for online audiences in digital ecosystems. The present case underscores the vulnerability of online communities that rely on influencer endorsements and the need for stronger scrutiny of promotional content, clear disclosures, and transparent consumer protections. In the North American context, similar warnings appear in security advisories that stress verifying product authenticity and confirming seller legitimacy before making online purchases, especially when discounts seem unusually steep. The confluence of influencer reach, cross-border marketing tactics, and the ease of dissemination through social platforms creates opportunities for fraud that regulators and platforms continue to address with new guidelines and enforcement measures. Sources cited include News for the original report, Izvestia for influencer statements, and socialbites.ca for comparative analysis in digital safety practices. [News], [Izvestia], [socialbites.ca]