In Yekaterinburg, authorities detained an employee of a funeral services office who posed as a plumber to steal from pensioners on numerous occasions. This development was reported by E1, among other outlets, as police investigations unfolded.
The 36-year-old native of Yekaterinburg targeted elderly residents by presenting himself as a housing department employee. He told the women that their neighbors were threatening them and then persuaded them to show him a veteran ID. He watched carefully where they placed the ID and how they guided him through the home, using the moment to gather information about their routines and hidden assets.
After gaining the women’s trust, the impostor handed them a tool or gadget and instructed them to hold a pipe steady to prevent a faucet from leaking or breaking. While the pensioners occupied themselves with this task, the so‑called housing department worker slipped into their private spaces, quietly taking cash and small valuables from hiding places and drawers. The deceit relied on distraction and the gentle authority of a familiar official voice, exploiting the seniors’ concern for their living conditions and a misplaced sense of duty to comply with his requests.
Investigators determined that at least ten residents in Yekaterinburg were affected by the scheme, with collective losses reaching three million rubles. The pattern involved several visits to different apartments, each visit carefully timed to coincide with the residents’ most vulnerable moments. The thief’s ability to blend in, coupled with a convincing impersonation of an official, allowed him to operate with a troubling level of audacity and anonymity for an extended period.
The suspect was apprehended by criminal investigation officers and faced formal accusations. Records show a prior history of legal trouble, including a conviction for drug trafficking. A formal criminal case has been opened, and the investigation continues to determine the full scope of the thefts and the exact sequence of events surrounding each incident.
Evidence indicates that the suspect had been evading financial obligations, including a debt of 950 thousand rubles. The ruse of presenting himself as a trusted official served as a calculated approach to avoid confrontation and to exploit the vulnerabilities created by debt and age-related dependency. The case underscores the importance of vigilance among seniors and the need for clear verification protocols when someone presents as a public service employee, especially in private homes.