In recent months, reports from Russia have highlighted a growing pattern where fraudulent calls pose as healthcare professionals and push victims toward expensive medical treatments. This warning comes from officials at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, specifically via a representative who described the scam in detail through official channels. The ruse often starts with a caller presenting an air of authority as an assistant to a supposed professor or chief physician. The caller claims that the recipient has received questionable test results in the past and now needs urgent, costly treatment. The pressure is designed to create a sense of urgency and trust, convincing the target to act quickly without properly verifying the information. In many cases, the scammers demand payment upfront, using fear and the promise of immediate relief to push for large sums of money. This pattern has prompted authorities to issue clear guidance: end the conversation at once and avoid sharing any health data or financial details with unknown callers.
Security experts caution that the attackers have refined their approach by exploiting smartphone features and screen-sharing capabilities. By demonstrating demonstrations or using screen broadcasting, they add a veneer of legitimacy that can be persuasive to unsuspecting users. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has urged the public to be particularly cautious of any messages or calls that request personal health information or prompt hasty financial decisions. The emphasis is on refusing to provide sensitive data and on confirming the identity of any medical representative through independent channels before taking any action. [Citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
Analysts note that these fraud schemes can adapt quickly, leveraging current events and technological tools to gain the victim’s trust. In addition to the obvious financial risk, there is a potential for lasting emotional stress and a breach of personal privacy. The public is advised to treat unsolicited medical offers with skepticism, to verify identities through official clinics or hospitals, and to rely on known and trusted sources for any health-related decisions. The authorities also recommend not communicating through unverified channels and avoiding any payment requests that come without formal documentation. [Citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
Experts like Shamil Magomedov, who previously led a department at the RTU MIREA Institute of Cybersecurity and Digital Technologies, have pointed out that the sophistication of these fraudsters continues to grow. Their strategies now include using smartphone screen broadcasts to simulate legitimate medical consultations and to create a sense of urgency. This is a reminder that digital threats are evolving and that awareness remains the best defense. Public safety campaigns stress the importance of not sharing personal health records or financial information with unknown callers and of reporting suspicious activity to the appropriate authorities. [Citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]
Incidents in which family members, including children, fall prey to these scams have underscored the human cost of such schemes. There have been cases where a family member, believing they are assisting a loved one, accepts loans or transfers funds to fulfill the caller’s demands. This highlights the need for family awareness and proactive safeguards, such as never transmitting money or sensitive data after a remote call, and always seeking a second opinion from a trusted healthcare provider. The public is encouraged to share these warnings with others to prevent repeat incidents. [Citation: Ministry of Internal Affairs]