Olga Tisen, who heads the legal department at Rosfinmonitoring, stated that scammers have started taking money from citizens through a so called legalization tax. The warning came during a public discussion where a lawyer at the event Hitting the Primer cautioned that fraudsters could pose as Rosfinmonitoring employees and pressure victims to pay a legalization tax in order to recover funds that had already vanished. [Source: Rosfinmonitoring]
In the attackers’ narrative given to victims, recovery of funds in foreign brokerage accounts is framed as possible only if the victim transfers a specified amount first. This is presented as a prerequisite for returning money, a maneuver designed to create a sense of legitimacy while locking the victim into a payment cycle. [Source: Rosfinmonitoring]
Tisen added that Russians increasingly receive letters purporting to be from the department. In these messages recipients are asked to submit documents that prove the legal origin of money in their accounts, followed by requests to cover costs tied to the supposed legalization process. The tactic leverages fear and urgency to push individuals toward making payments. [Source: Rosfinmonitoring]
These fraud schemes also have broader repercussions. Among them is the impact on travel and visa procedures. Reports indicate that obtaining a visa has become more challenging for Russian citizens due to scammers who use automated bots to interfere with appointment slots and demand sums ranging from 4,000 to 7,500 rubles for securing a spot. The goal is to extract fees while creating the impression of helping the applicant complete required steps. [Source: Rosfinmonitoring]
Beyond the financial losses, there is a heightened risk of compromised identity and stolen credentials. People in Canada and the United States should remain vigilant against messages or calls asking for payment under the guise of government checks or taxes related to money legality. Authorized agencies will never demand payment for the release of funds through tax or legalization fees, and legitimate investigations do not require personal data beyond what is legally necessary. Consumers are advised to verify any contact through official channels and to report suspicious requests to their financial institution or local authorities. [Source: Rosfinmonitoring]