Russian tourists visiting a number of countries in Asia and the Middle East have encountered a new type of fraud related to currency exchange. Criminals offer to carry out this operation remotely, while cash can supposedly be received through an ATM using a QR code. This was reported by F6, a company developing technologies to combat cyber threats.
Advertising for fraudulent services is being actively spread in the Russian-speaking segment of Telegram. Criminals offer to exchange rubles and tenge for yuan, baht, lira, dirhams, as well as euros and U.S. dollars.
The advertisements contain links to Telegram channels that look like legitimate exchange services. Fraudsters promise "licensed" exchange, attractive rates, and no commission. Potential victims contact a "manager" or use a bot to clarify the details.
After confirming the terms, the criminal demands that the funds be transferred to a Russian bank card or by phone number. Moreover, if tourists exchange large amounts, they are promised an even more favorable rate.
Then they are required to send a transfer receipt and take a photo of the QR code. However, the cash is never dispensed. The fraudsters report that the transfer has "got stuck" and ask them to repeat the operation. According to F6, the average amount that ends up in the hands of criminals starts at 20,000 rubles.
F6 expert Darya Karlova noted that after some destinations in Europe were closed off, Russians began choosing Asian countries more often. Fraudsters are adapting their methods to the new conditions, taking into account the changing flow of tourists.
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