Experts warn of a new fraud tactic that exploits video conversations with recognizable journalists to lend legitimacy. A recent investigative report describes how scammers initiate live video talks through messaging apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. They even pose as a courier service and produce a silent video clip meant to reassure targets. The purpose is to anchor the scam in familiar trust cues and blur the line between real and fake interactions. The scheme relies on the victim seeing a known face and hearing a convincing voice, which lowers suspicion and accelerates the next steps. According to investigators, this method aims to create an impression of direct, personal contact rather than a distant, impersonal request for money.
Once they have a foothold, the criminals open fresh online accounts and begin sending messages to the victim’s friends, family, and colleagues. They reuse the credible video as proof that the person on the other end is real, using it to reconstruct a sense of social proximity. The friendly tone, quick responses, and apparent accessibility push the target toward compliance. In this phase, the attacker may request a loan, a transfer, or access to the victim’s devices by presenting themselves as an authentic contact who can help solve a problem. The tactic hinges on creating urgency and a feeling of inevitability, so victims act before doubts catch up.
During the video session, scammers can capture screenshots of the phone screen and record the interlocutor’s voice for later misuse. They may push the screen-sharing feature to monitor SMS verification codes that arrive during the chat, using those codes to authorize withdrawals or payments later. The broadcast becomes a tool to observe ongoing conversations and the flow of sensitive data, while the attacker maintains the appearance of a calm, friendly helper. The deception often unfolds with rapid, well-practiced exchanges that leave the victim unsure what is real and what is not, and with the attacker steering the interaction toward a moment when a still-innocent action becomes a costly mistake.
Earlier this year authorities described a separate money-theft scheme targeting people in Russia. The scammers allegedly visited beauty salons, projecting an aura of success that appealed to men aged around 30 to 35. Reportedly, as many as 190 people fell victim before the scheme was uncovered. The approach combined social prestige with a direct financial incentive, encouraging targets to participate in a seeming opportunity that quickly spiraled into loss. Investigators emphasize that the fraud relied on crafted credibility and staged scenarios to overcome skepticism and prompt swift money movement.
A psychologist notes that most victims are drawn in by the scammers’ confident, helpful demeanor. The pattern depends on building rapport and credibility, making ordinary moments feel routine and safe. In many cases the victim is caught off guard by how fast the interaction escalates and by the attacker’s apparent familiarity with their social circle. The psychologist adds that awareness and verification steps—such as pausing before sharing codes, confirming identities through independent channels, and avoiding sensitive actions during calls—can significantly reduce risk. The overall message is clear: skepticism saves money and time, and real contacts should be verified through trusted channels before any request is acted upon.