In St. Petersburg an 80-year-old resident widely regarded as one of Russia’s leading marketing experts became the target of a calculated scam. The man told authorities on October 16 that two days earlier he had received a call from an unidentified person who claimed to be an officer with the FSB. The caller urged him to safeguard his savings by transferring the money to a third party so it could be deposited into a supposed secure account. Believing the warning, the man handed 8.6 million rubles to a courier who arrived at his building entrance and then used an ATM to move another 8.2 million rubles. The total loss rose to 16.8 million rubles. The victim is described as Doctor of Economics, a professor who heads a department at a major economic university in the Northern capital.
That background may have made him appear trustworthy to a scammer who relies on assumed authority. In many cases, callers impersonate state security or law enforcement figures to create urgency and push victims toward quick transfers. The tactic here hinged on a familiar script: a looming threat to the victim’s financial security, followed by instructions to move funds into a secure repository. The process was social rather than technical, exploiting the victim’s confidence and rapport. The case illustrates how credible professionals can become prime targets because their names and positions carry weight in the minds of potential criminals.
Earlier, a separate incident in Yakutia showed a different outcome. An 11-year-old student contacted police to report suspicious activity and helped shield his family from fraud. The swift action by a young person demonstrates how public vigilance can curb fraud and protect households before losses mount. This event reinforces the message that pausing to verify information can save families and underscores the value of clear guidance for households facing unfamiliar calls.
These cases fit a broader fraud pattern seen in many places, including Canada and the United States, where scammers blend authority with urgency to coax transfers. Readers are reminded to verify any claim through official channels rather than responding to unsolicited calls. Banks and security agencies do not request rapid transfers to unknown accounts, and legitimate alerts can be checked by contacting the bank or agency using verified numbers. If there is any doubt, pause, discuss with a trusted relative, and contact local law enforcement. Public awareness and family discussions create a defense, helping communities reduce risk and keep savings safe.