Since April 2022, a type of fraud has emerged in the Vitebsk region, primarily targeting elderly individuals.
Since April 2022, a type of fraud has emerged in the Vitebsk region, primarily targeting elderly individuals.
Scammers continue to devise various methods for stealing funds, while citizens often exhibit excessive credulity and inattention. For instance, victims receive calls from individuals posing as law enforcement officers or lawyers, claiming a relative has encountered a difficult situation (e.g., caused a road traffic accident). They then offer assistance in resolving the issue of avoiding criminal liability for the perpetrator of the accident, requesting money for this purpose. To appear convincing, the scammers pass the phone to another person who, on behalf of the relative, pleads for help. If the victim expresses doubt, they are told that their relative has undergone surgery and is therefore speaking indistinctly. In some cases, to prevent the elderly person from orienting themselves in the situation, they are simultaneously called on their landline telephone. After "processing the victim," the scammers dispatch a courier to collect the money. Upon receiving the required sum, the callers cease communication.
Remember these simple rules:
- Always pay attention to the telephone number from which an incoming call is received. As a rule, scammers call from abroad;
- Be aware that law enforcement officers will not resolve work-related issues through criminal means. Any offer from scammers, posing as law enforcement officers, to transfer money to resolve any issue is a crime. Do not attempt to circumvent the law;
- If you receive a call with the aforementioned or a similar story, immediately end the conversation and do not give in to panic. Call your relatives back on a familiar telephone number and verify that they are alright;
- Do not hand over money to strangers.
Head of Lepel District Department of the Investigative Committee
S.V. Bulai