A retiree from Blagoveshchensk fell prey to a sophisticated phone scam that stretched over three months, resulting in losses totaling 44 million rubles. This startling case was highlighted in a statement by the regional Ministry of Internal Affairs, which confirmed the severity of the deception and the financial impact on a local resident.
The senior citizen, a woman aged 52, began receiving calls in September of the previous year. The caller claimed to be a financial broker who could help her earn money through investments. The offer sounded alluring enough to engage a risk-averse individual, and the conversation quickly evolved into a step-by-step guide on how to participate in what the fraudsters framed as a legitimate opportunity. The initial approach was smooth and convincing, leveraging a tone of expertise and a promise of steady returns to build trust with the unsuspecting victim.
Following the fraudster’s instructions, the retiree registered on a website provided by the caller and opened a personal account there. Over the ensuing weeks, the victim transferred more than four million rubles to the account, believing she was moving funds into a legitimate investment vehicle. The operation appeared legitimate on the surface, with the platform presenting credible interfaces, convincing language, and timely messages that reinforced the perception of a sanctioned, professional activity. The ease with which large sums could be moved convinced the retiree that she was on the right path and that the risk of loss was minimal.
When attempts to withdraw the money were blocked or failed, doubt began to creep in. Instead of stopping, the woman sought help online and found a lawyer who claimed to represent a firm offering recovery services for victims of financial scams. After she left a request on a website, a representative of a supposed company contacted her and asserted that a criminal case had been opened against the brokerage involved in the scheme. The promised intervention suggested that the funds would be returned once the authorities intervened, and the victim, desperate to recover what was lost, believed the assurances and proceeded to cooperate with the supposed legal process.
Complicating matters, the scheme shifted toward more aggressive financial moves. Under the pretext of reclaiming the stolen money with expert legal assistance, the retiree took out loans in her own name from several banks and then, following the instruction of the unknown lawyer, borrowed additional funds from friends and relatives. In a short span, the total debt escalated dramatically as the person transferred the entire borrowed amount to the fraudsters’ bank cards, all under the belief that the money would be returned and that the operation would conclude with a successful recovery of the original losses.
The total damage reached 44 million rubles, a devastating figure for a retiree who depended on a modest pension. Realizing that the trust placed in the supposed legal help had turned into another layer of deception, the Amur resident contacted law enforcement authorities to report the incident and to stop further financial harm. A criminal case was opened in connection with the fraud, signaling a formal investigative response and the possibility of accountability for those behind the scheme. The case also underscored the risk of online solicitations that disguise themselves as legitimate financial services, illustrating the vulnerability of older adults who may be seeking reliable ways to safeguard or recover their savings.
Earlier reports from the same region noted similar attempts by scammers who claimed to have access to expert advice or government-grade recovery services. In that context, the cautions issued by law enforcement emphasized the importance of verifying the credentials of any professional offering to recover lost funds, and of refraining from sending money to unknown parties who present themselves as brokers, lawyers, or recovery specialists. For residents of Amur and similar regions, the lessons are clear: never share sensitive banking information, avoid wiring funds to unfamiliar accounts, and seek independent confirmation from trusted sources before engaging with any investment opportunity or recovery service. Keeping a safety-first mindset can prevent a second wave of losses and protect the financial security of vulnerable individuals in the community.