Fraudsters are becoming more active before February 23rd, using fake online stores and schemes involving "gift delivery," Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, told RIA Novosti.
Most often, fraudsters create websites and social media accounts that look like major brands, offering "exclusive" discounts on gadgets, military paraphernalia, perfumes, and certificates. After payment, the goods either do not arrive or a fake is sent without the possibility of return.
The second scheme involves gift delivery: people receive calls or messages allegedly from courier services, marketplaces, or flower delivery services, asking them to confirm the address or pay a "symbolic fee," extorting codes from SMS messages, card details, or access to accounts. This allows fraudsters to gain complete control over the victim's money and profiles.
Separately, fraudsters use images of military personnel, sending requests to "support the soldiers for the holiday" or "pay for the delivery of a parcel to the front." The money goes directly to the fraudsters, not to charity.
A member of the relevant State Duma committee advises maintaining digital hygiene: do not trust calls and messages asking to urgently confirm something, check the address of websites and contact details of sellers. He also recommends enabling two-factor authentication and limits on transfers, setting up a separate card for online purchases, and enabling a self-ban on loans. If in doubt, it is easier to refuse the transaction or call the company back using the official number.