State Duma deputy from the LDPR Kaplan Panesh proposed creating a state program of psychological assistance for victims of telephone fraud. It could include free psychological consultations, support groups, and a hotline. The parliamentarian spoke about the initiative in an interview with TASS, emphasizing that assistance to victims of fraud should become one of the directions in the fight against fraud.

According to the deputy, fraudsters use two main tactics of psychological pressure. In one case, they promise a large win, high income, or government payment. The person begins to believe that they are just one step away from getting the money.

In another case, fraudsters intimidate the victim. They may claim that a bank account has been hacked, a loan is being taken out in the person's name, or they are suspected of a crime. After this, they offer to urgently “solve the problem,” for example, by transferring money to a so-called safe account.

Panesh believes that both promises of benefit and threats can prevent a person from soberly assessing the situation. The longer the conversation continues, the more difficult it can be to interrupt it and verify the interlocutor's words.

The deputy advises to immediately end a suspicious call, wait about 10 minutes, contact a loved one, and independently call the bank back using the official number indicated on the card, or contact the police at 102. He does not recommend calling back the number from which the suspicious call was received.

Another part of the initiative concerns prevention

Panesh proposes including digital and psychological security lessons in the school curriculum, where children would be taught to recognize manipulations and protect themselves from them.

In addition, the deputy advocated for the creation of a unified federal register of telephone numbers and schemes that fraudsters have already used. According to the parliamentarian's plan, people will be able to check suspicious contacts and methods of deception.