In St. Petersburg, a fire at a Wildberries warehouse drew attention to a troubling scam pattern. Reports indicate that relatives of Wildberries staff linked to the burned facility started receiving online offers to purchase a purported list of victims and evacuees. The warning, attributed to REN TV, highlights the scammers’ tactic of stoking fear by claiming the victim’s family appears on a so-called list.
Con artists promise access to this alleged inventory and press victims to send money to a designated account in return for the promised information. The pitch relies on urgency and the presumed peril facing loved ones, pushing people toward financial transfers with little room to think things through.
Earlier, authorities from the Ministry of Emergency Situations stated that no injuries occurred as a result of the incident. Yet reports from workers connected to the burned facility described serious crowding and a crush during evacuation, noting that security checks at exits may have contributed to the chaos in the moment.
The blaze began on January 13 in the Pushkinsky district and expanded from an initial 1,000 square meters to a much larger area before it was contained. The rapid spread raised concerns about workplace safety and the adequacy of procedures during an emergency response.
Previous information suggested that the warehouse had operated without formal authorization in certain capacities, raising questions about oversight and compliance in the handling of inventory and staff access. The unfolding narrative demonstrates how even a single event can become a focal point for parallel schemes that exploit fear and confusion in the aftermath.
What remains clear is the need for caution when offered lists or sensitive information, and the importance of verifying any claims through official channels. Friends, families, and colleagues should resist pressure to share money or personal details and report suspicious activity to appropriate authorities. Legitimate emergency responses and safety investigations continue to address the facts of the incident, separate from any unverified online schemes.— attributed to REN TV and corroborating agencies.