In Moscow, a disturbing scam case has drawn attention after a 56-year-old woman and her husband were manipulated into a sequence of dangerous steps by individuals presenting themselves as officials. The victims were pressured to part with a substantial portion of their savings, ultimately leading to physical harm and hospitalization for the woman. The information comes from a Telegram channel report, which has been cited as the source for the events described.
According to the Telegram channel, the two fraudsters reached out to the woman on February 5, posing as employees of the Investigative Committee and Rosfinmonitoring. They fed the couple a frightening narrative about threats to their pension and personal funds, and urged them to move money into a supposedly secure account. The man, referred to as the husband in the channel’s account, also became involved, with the two of them visiting banks to secure loans and transfer funds to the attackers. The total amount extorted from the couple exceeded 2.5 million rubles, a figure that highlights the scale of the pressure employed by the scammers.
The situation escalated when the fraudsters demanded increasingly invasive and humiliating steps as a supposed safeguard for the money. The victims were instructed to send a photo without clothes as a so‑called screening measure designed to shield the funds for 30 years. The woman was additionally persuaded to acquire multiple tattoos, and then to insert a firecracker into her body and trigger an explosion as part of the ruse. The channel’s account states that the woman complied with these instructions, a detail that underscores the extraordinary coercion used by the perpetrators.
On February 26, the woman was hospitalized with injuries and burns. Law enforcement officials reported that she was unable to explain how the attackers had convinced her to perform the acts demanded in this case. The events emphasize the vulnerability of individuals who are targeted by lenders, officials, or other trusted‑appearing figures who exploit fear and financial insecurity. It remains unclear whether any additional pieces of information were shared with the victims before the incident occurred, but the Telegram channel’s narrative outlines a clear sequence of manipulation, coercion, and coercive financial demands.
Earlier reports indicate that the same criminal network had already obtained 1.8 million rubles from a pensioner in Moscow, following a similar pattern of deception. The ongoing investigation aims to identify the full scope of the fraud and to determine whether other residents might be affected by the same scheme. The case serves as a cautionary example of how impersonation and threats can be used to grind a victim down emotionally and financially, sometimes with long‑term consequences that extend beyond monetary loss.
Experts warn that scammers frequently exploit official language and the fear of losing savings in order to create a sense of urgency. They emphasize that legitimate authorities do not demand immediate transfers to “secure accounts,” nor do they require personal photos or other highly sensitive materials as a condition for protecting assets. Individuals who encounter unsolicited calls or messages should verify the caller’s identity through independent channels, avoid sharing personal information, and refrain from transferring funds until they have confirmed the legitimacy of the request. If confusion arises, contacting a trusted family member or a local bank branch can provide a safety check against potential fraud.
Authorities continue to investigate the case and pursue all available leads, with the aim of bringing the perpetrators to account and preventing similar crimes. The incident illustrates the need for heightened awareness among seniors and their families, as scammers often tailor their tactics to appear authoritative and urgent. Public education campaigns and clear reporting channels are essential to help potential victims recognize red flags early and to seek assistance before irreversible financial or physical harm occurs. In the meantime, the story from the Telegram channel offers a stark reminder that even those who speak in the names of official institutions may be part of a calculated deception, and that caution remains the best defense against these dangerous schemes.