a girl named Lyudmila
Socialbites.ca analyzed sites that review mobile numbers and found that in mid-June, many Russians started receiving lots of calls from unknown numbers with identical content. A female voice would say, “Good afternoon, I’m Lyudmila, very nice, I’ll call you back,” and the line would end immediately after the message.
Open-source data show that these calls originated from mobile numbers across regions, including Moscow and the Novosibirsk region. In the recordings, alongside the female voice, the voices of a call center can be heard. This combination makes the scheme more convincing and helps scammers identify likely targets. A security expert from the Zecurion analytical center explained that curious individuals who call back may be more susceptible to manipulation because longer conversations can lead to higher conversion and could allow the scammer to profit from another subscriber.
Vitaly Vorobyov, a senior analyst at Kaspersky Who Calls, suggested that the attackers use this approach to verify which numbers are active. He noted that many people now rely on spam and scam protection tools or simply ignore calls from unknown numbers, so manually contacting potential victims without prior screening is less effective.
One subscriber left a review stating that they believed the Lyudmila caller was real and tried to call back. When attempting to reconnect, the person heard a message indicating the number was not available. Another subscriber reported checking the unknown-number call via the Viber messenger and learning that it was tied to a contact named Karpova Lyuda, though the caller did not identify their organization, role, or affiliation during the call.
What is the danger of such calls?
Vladimir Ulyanov, head of the Zecurion analytical center, stated that receiving or even answering these calls is not inherently dangerous. There are no scenarios where the device itself is compromised simply by answering. He cautioned against believing claims like a single answered call could break a device or steal data, and he emphasized there is no direct threat to subscriber security or finances in most cases.
Vorobyov believes the risk lies in gradual exposure. If a number appears active, it can be added to an “active” list and later exploited by spammers or scammers. The consensus from multiple experts is clear: avoid engaging with phone scammers or answering calls if the caller is clearly an intruder. Even those who understand the scam can be pressured into responding under stress, which creates openings for manipulation.
Pavel Korostelev, head of product promotion at a security company, mentioned that the Lyudmila search or similar person-based scans are often executed by automated bots that scammers use to probe the database. If a familiar contact does not reach out after such a call, these traces are considered non-threatening, but the scanning activity itself is not dangerous in isolation. He also noted that subscribers remain protected and do not reveal data until a dialogue occurs.
Korostelev added that such calls do not directly threaten users beyond confirming that their number is alive. Protecting personal data remains essential and people should avoid sharing details over unfamiliar lines until trust is established.
How not to fall for scammers?
Ulyanov advised answering the call briefly to determine whether a voice on the line is human or robotic. While automated systems are becoming more common, most people can still distinguish them, and callers should adjust their response accordingly. There is no need to avoid incoming calls entirely, but it is important not to call back missed or dropped calls. Returning a call to an unknown number can lead to higher costs and potential exposure to further attempts.
Another preventive option is to enable call-forwarding or anti-scam features offered by many mobile operators. Telecommunication providers often offer call-filtering services designed to reduce unwanted inbound calls. Such tools can help minimize exposure to these scams.
Installing a caller ID app on a smartphone is another practical step. While identification tools can occasionally mislabel numbers, they generally help users understand the likely purpose of a call and respond accordingly. If a single unknown call was received and it feels suspicious, it is often best to avoid returning it altogether and block the number to prevent future attempts.
Experts suggest only answering if there is a legitimate reason to expect a delivery or a courier arrival. If any doubt arises about the interlocutor during a call, terminating the conversation is a prudent move. It is crucial to avoid sharing passwords, login details, SMS codes, or other sensitive information with unknown parties to stay protected from intruders.