The Central Bank has uncovered a new scam scheme where the key pretext is the alleged mandatory replacement of a bank account with an account at the Bank of Russia itself. According to the regulator's information security department, fraudsters operate through messengers, posing as "financial intelligence."

The victim is intimidated by claims that their personal data has been leaked from their previous workplace and is allegedly being used to finance illegal activities, threatening them with a criminal case. To avoid trouble, the person is persuaded to immediately withdraw all savings from an ATM and then deposit them in cash into a "secure main account at the Central Bank" using the scammers' details. To add credibility, the fraudsters send a "video instruction from the Central Bank" and explain the ATM procedure as a concern for confidentiality – implying that this is the only way no outsiders will know about the operation.

The Bank of Russia reminded that neither Central Bank employees nor representatives of government agencies ever ask people to conduct monetary transactions with their accounts. There are no "special" or "secure" accounts for transferring savings. Any such request is a sign of fraud.

The scheme relies on a double shock: the fear of criminal prosecution and the illusion of salvation through an "official" procedure, while in reality, the person personally hands over money to criminals.