The landscape of phone fraud has shifted noticeably in recent months. In a broader discussion with the press, German Zubarev, Deputy Governor at the Central Bank, explained how criminal schemes have evolved and what people should watch for. The conversation appeared in the newspaper News, where the exchange highlighted a more targeted approach used by scammers today. This evolving danger is particularly relevant to readers in Canada and the United States, where legitimate communications increasingly converge with new tricks used by criminals.
According to Zubarev, attackers now begin by gathering detailed information about their target. They examine social media profiles, relationships, and even professional connections. Data shared freely by an individual on public platforms or professional networking sites can be enough for criminals to map out a credible profile. From there, they craft a personalized outreach plan tailored to the person, creating a sense of familiarity and trust before a single call is made. This meticulous pretext work makes scams feel surprisingly legitimate and hard to spot at first glance.
One notable trend described is the use of a sophisticated deception script. Criminals are reportedly creating fake administrator or manager accounts on messaging platforms like Telegram and using those identities to reach out to the victim. The goal is to imitate a figure of authority the target already knows, thereby reducing skepticism and increasing the likelihood that the recipient will follow the request without hesitation. This manipulation tactic underscores how scammers are leveraging social dynamics and perceived legitimacy to lower defenses.
Expanding the toolkit, Zubarev noted that fraudsters increasingly employ advanced technologies to simulate voices. By using artificial intelligence, they can generate a message that sounds as if it comes from a close relative or someone important in the victim’s life. Hearing a familiar voice in a phone message can bypass rational scrutiny and push a person toward rapid action, such as transferring funds or sharing private information. The unnerving realism of voice cloning adds a chilling layer to the threat and makes quick, calm verification essential.
There have been concrete cases illustrating the harm these schemes can cause. In one instance reported from the Kama region, a young woman received a single call in which the caller claimed to be a trusted family member. Trust was exploited, and money was moved from the mother’s account to the fraudster, only realizing the deceit after the moment of urgency had passed. The incident serves as a cautionary example of how quickly a well-constructed ruse can unfold when emotions run high and the victim feels a need to respond promptly. Similar incidents have appeared across North America, underscoring the importance of verification steps even when the caller sounds familiar and urgent.
In addition to voice impersonation, criminals have been observed implementing a SIM swap approach, in which they try to gain control of the victim’s mobile number. This line of attack enables them to intercept messages and calls, creating opportunities to extract verification codes or rebind accounts. The combination of identity deception, legitimate-appearing messages, and compromised communications channels makes these schemes particularly dangerous for individuals and families who rely on mobile services for daily life and financial transactions. Keeping devices updated, using multi-factor authentication that does not rely solely on SMS, and verifying any unusual requests through a separate channel are practical steps to reduce risk for Canadian and American users alike.