Scammers Employ Robots to Call Russian Bank Clients
Scammers in Russia have started using automated robots to call bank customers. These fraudsters typically target bank clients, attempting to convince them that transactions on their cards have been suspended. In one reported case, a staff member at “RIA Novosti” received such a call. The robot claimed that card operations were suspended due to a suspicious transfer, which in this instance was a relatively small amount—3,600 rubles.
Representatives from the ONF project “For Borrowers’ Rights” confirmed this new form of scam calls. Their platform detected several dozen reports of malicious robot calls posing as banks over a three-week period.
How the Scam Works
During these calls, the fraudulent bots may ask the victim not only to confirm a suspicious transaction but also to request a card reissue or even apply for a loan. Often, if more details are needed, the robots transfer the call to a “live operator.” In reality, this is a scammer who tries to intimidate the bank client by threatening them with prosecution for “fraud” for allegedly misleading the bank.
The scammers may then resort to aggressive blackmail, demanding that the victim transfer a certain amount of money to a specified account to “prevent further action” on their case. Another common scheme involves convincing the victim to install a special app on their mobile device, which gives the scammers remote access to the victim’s bank accounts.
How to Recognize a Phone Scam
Grigory Kovshov, Head of Marketing at Gazinformservice, shared tips on how to recognize phone scams:
- Scammers are constantly inventing new phone fraud schemes, so it’s important to know the main warning signs.
- First, the caller, supposedly from the bank, suddenly demands that you make quick decisions.
- Second, the caller is overly persistent.
- Third, the person shows an unusual interest in your personal information.
Stay alert and remember: information security is in your hands.