Russian Dark Web Accused of Stealing U.S. Unemployment Benefits
Cyber threat analysis company IntSights has reported on fraudulent schemes used by members of Russian-speaking forums on the dark web to steal the identities of U.S. citizens and attempt to claim unemployment benefits on their behalf.
It is not entirely clear why IntSights experts singled out Russian forums, as their report explicitly states that similar operations are also carried out by Nigerian, European, and American cybercriminals.
How the Scheme Works
The scheme described by researchers is quite simple: a scammer submits an application for unemployment benefits using either the identity of a real U.S. citizen or a fictitious one (a combination of real and fake data).
“The person whose name is used for the application may not even be eligible for benefits. We personally observed cases where applications were submitted on behalf of CEOs of large organizations,” explained one IntSights specialist.
After submitting the application, the criminals provide their own bank card details to receive the benefits, while simultaneously discussing campaign details on the forums.
Why the Scam Works
IntSights explained that the challenging unemployment situation in the U.S. plays into the hands of criminals. Benefit centers are overwhelmed with applications and requests, making it easier for fraudulent claims to slip through.
According to experts, active members of Russian-speaking dark web forums even hire men and women to call benefit center hotlines. Once the money is received, it is converted into Bitcoin or transferred to offshore accounts.
Buying Digital Identities
Additionally, on these Russian forums, scammers share tips on purchasing digital identities.
“Russian-speaking forums are so extensive in terms of cybercrime that a beginner scammer can buy anything they want there,” IntSights warns.
Additional Information
- Chatex is described as the most advanced crypto service on Telegram, encouraging users to invite referrals and earn a percentage from each exchange.