In Primorye, unscrupulous individuals persuaded an elderly woman to move her life savings into their control, prompting her to sell apartments and summer houses under pressure. This update comes from the press service of the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs, which notes that the scheme reflects a troubling pattern of financial manipulation aimed at vulnerable seniors.
A pensioner from Vladivostok became a victim of a complicated fraud that drained both real estate and savings totaling 14.6 million rubles. In February 2023, an unknown caller pretended to be a police officer and told the recipient that criminals were trying to steal his bank funds. The ruse was crafted to induce fear and force action, ensuring the victim engaged with the attackers rather than the bank directly.
The 77-year-old woman was coaxed into withdrawing money and transferring it to other accounts. She withdrew 2 million rubles from her card and sent them to the scammers. A few days later, the fraudsters reached out again, compelling her to photograph her apartment, announce a sale, and send the proceeds to unknown accounts. The manipulation relied on a combination of fear, urgency, and social engineering to override prudent financial judgment.
Following these events, the elderly man was left without his second apartment and a summer house, losing a total of 14.6 million rubles. Realizing the deception, the victim contacted law enforcement authorities, who opened a criminal case on charges of fraud. The ongoing investigation underscores the need for vigilance when receiving calls or messages that claim to be from law enforcement or financial institutions.
Earlier reports indicated a separate incident where scammers obtained 650,000 rubles from a schoolboy during the purchase of a promotional code in a game. This demonstrates that fraudsters target a wide range of victims, from children to seniors, using similar social engineering tactics to harvest funds or personal data. Awareness campaigns and rapid reporting to authorities remain essential components in preventing further losses and bringing perpetrators to justice.