Scammers create fake Moscow Exchange "gateway": Russians promised cryptocurrency at Central Bank exchange rate

Targeted advertising in social networks and messengers simulates test access to trading

Scammers have launched a new scheme to defraud private investors, exploiting the Moscow Exchange brand. As RIA Novosti was told by the press service of the Narodny Front's "Moshelovka" platform, victims receive targeted advertising or personal messages in social networks and messengers from people posing as "accredited Moscow Exchange brokers" or "technical partners of the trading platform".

The attackers claim that the Moscow Exchange has allegedly launched test stands for trading five top cryptocurrencies and that the person has a unique chance to buy liquid cryptocurrency for rubles at a fixed Central Bank exchange rate. If the victim agrees, they are sent a link to a "closed gateway" to access trading.

Technically, this is classic phishing. A website masquerading as Moscow Exchange infrastructure collects payment data or directly debits funds. There are no test stands for retail investors with a privileged Central Bank exchange rate: all official trading and tests are conducted exclusively through licensed Russian brokers, whose list is published on the Bank of Russia website.

Moshelovka emphasizes that there are no "closed gateways" with super-profitable exchange rates for random individuals in messengers. In fact, scammers are bringing the scheme of fake investment platforms to Russian soil, using regulatory uncertainty around cryptocurrencies and trust in the Moscow Exchange brand.

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