Scammers Send Russians Fake Letters with Bank Logos

Scammers targeting unsuspecting Russians have recently improved their tactics. Social engineering schemes aimed at stealing money from clients of Russian banks now include a new element designed to further mislead victims.

According to representatives from Sberbank, Rosbank, and Ak Bars Bank, fraudsters are sending scans of fake letters to customers, supposedly from the security departments of these financial institutions. These letters contain a “safe account” number where victims are instructed to transfer their money.

The fraudulent letter is often followed by a phone call, allegedly from the same bank security service. During the call, the scammer tries to convince the person that someone has attempted to withdraw money from their card. According to Izvestia, which obtained a copy of one such fake letter, the document features the logo and stamp of a major bank.

Official graphics and branding from well-known banks naturally inspire trust among inexperienced individuals, which explains the effectiveness of this scam.

Experts say that criminals have only recently started using this method. For example, one Moscow resident encountered this scheme in early September. Unfortunately, the trusting victim transferred their funds to the so-called “safe account,” even though there were clear signs of a suspicious operation.

We urge users to be more vigilant. If you receive a call claiming to be from your bank, don’t hesitate to hang up and say, “I’ll call you back.” Then, contact your bank’s official office directly using the number you know to be legitimate.