In the Smolensk region, a disturbing scam unfolded as men were coerced through staged online exchanges handled by a small group of relatives and acquaintances. Reports from the Unified Press Service of the courts of the Smolensk region detail how the scheme operated over an extended period, drawing in vulnerable individuals and exploiting digital communications to threaten exposure or legal trouble.
According to law enforcement officials, a local man from the village of Monastyrshchina sought quick cash after serving time in a penal colony. He turned to an acquaintance, hoping to find a way to regain his financial footing, and this person became a central figure in the illicit plan. The arrangement centered on manipulating men by using social media personas and fabricated scenarios designed to elicit trust and fear.
The group created a cover by presenting a female profile on social networks who claimed to be a minor. Through messages that appeared intimate and urgent, the supposed minor engaged with several men, sending explicit content that later served as leverage. In some instances, a second participant would then appear on the line through a phone call, impersonating a father or a law enforcement officer charged with bringing the man to justice for inappropriate conduct or crimes against a minor. The caller’s identity and authority were forged, but their voice and demeanor were convincing enough to pressure the victims into acting quickly.
The core tactic relied on a quick escalation: after the suspect received a series of alarming messages, he was advised to settle the matter by transferring funds to a designated account. The promise of avoiding public shaming, legal trouble, or harsher penalties created a strong incentive to comply. Over about three years, the scammers perfected this method, repeatedly extracting money from different targets under the same pretense.
Investigators have not disclosed the precise number of victims, but the pattern of communications and financial transactions pointed to a coordinated operation rather than isolated incidents. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have continued to piece together the web of contacts, timelines, and financial flows tied to the case.
Eventually, two individuals—the primary offender and an accomplice—faced criminal charges linked to the scheme. The man, who had been imprisoned earlier, was sentenced to a lengthy term in prison, while the other defendant received a shorter but substantial sentence. The court filings emphasize the premeditated nature of the operation and the harm inflicted on those targeted by the ruse.
In a related note, there were prior incidents in Bashkiria involving a prisoner who allegedly coerced a friend into prostitution, suggesting a broader pattern of exploitation that crosses regional borders. Authorities stress the importance of vigilance when dealing with online solicitations, particularly those involving sensational need for quick money or relationships that begin in digital spaces.