A freshman in Moscow became another victim of an online scam that promised to double his money through a connection to FC Dynamo, losing 18.5 thousand rubles in the process. The incident was reported through the Telegram channel Attention on the Moscow edition and highlights how quickly fraudulent schemes can present themselves as legitimate sports opportunities.
The scam centered on an 18-year-old student from RANEPA who has a lifelong passion for football. He reached out on social networks to an unknown individual who claimed to be a manager for Dynamo-2, the reserve team linked to the club. The impostor invited him to submit a resume, effectively opening a manipulated recruitment sequence that felt like a real pathway into professional football.
After the initial contact, the student carried on email exchanges with someone posing as the coach. The fake coach talked up a twelve-day internship that could evolve into a two-year contract, creating the impression of a serious opportunity for advancement in the sport and a potential professional future.
As part of the ruse, the supposed coach demanded payments for paperwork, equipment, and meals at the training facility. The student sent funds in two installments, with the scammers promising a refund to reinforce the illusion of legitimacy and credibility in the operation.
Over time, the student grew increasingly suspicious that the correspondence was not with a real club representative. He pressed for verification and asked for official confirmation. In response, the impostor claimed the student had engaged in fraudulent activity and abruptly halted any further consideration of his candidacy, severing contact and deepening the sense of doubt.
Ultimately, the first-year student handed over 18.5 thousand rubles to the scammers. When the deception finally came to light, he filed a police report to seek redress and to prevent similar harm to others who might be drawn in by a seemingly plausible opportunity.
Following the episode, a former Foreign Ministry official noted that the scammers seemed to have access to at least 1.5 million rubles in illicit funds, underscoring the broader risk and the need for stronger safeguards within banking and financial channels. Banks reportedly issued warnings about potential cheating schemes as individuals increasingly fall prey to convincing fraud attempts that target hopeful athletes and their families.
Security experts advise several practical steps to avoid similar scams in the future. Prospective athletes should verify any club contact through official channels, such as the club’s verified website or its public social media accounts, and refrain from sharing sensitive information or paying upfront fees before formal, verifiable negotiations have taken place. If something feels off, it is wise to pause, seek independent confirmation, and contact the club directly using official contact details. Law enforcement agencies urge reporting suspicious messages promptly and preserving all correspondence as potential evidence. This case illustrates how online recruiters can impersonate legitimate organizations and prey on young athletes eager to advance their careers.
[Attention on the Telegram channel Moscow]