Lawyer told about ways to avoid scammers on marketplaces

In today's world of online shopping, where convenience and speed come to the fore, fraudsters are finding ever more sophisticated ways to use the habits of Russians to their advantage. One of the new methods gaining popularity is the use of fake Telegram bots posing as official services of major marketplaces, said Sean Betrozov, a practicing lawyer at the Moscow Chamber of Lawyers and a member of the Russian Bar Association. He told Izvestia on December 10 how not to fall for the tricks of swindlers.

"The scheme is quite simple: scammers create Telegram-bots that outwardly copy the official support accounts of popular platforms. Logos, stylistics and even the tone of communication are forged in order to inspire trust in users. These bots offer to "solve a problem" with your order or account by requesting a login and password. Having gained access, attackers can change passwords, make purchases or withdraw funds from the internal balance," the lawyer explained.

According to him, the success of such schemes is explained by people's trust in familiar interfaces and brands. Bots at first glance are indistinguishable from real ones. As a result, the user, not suspecting a trick, enters his account data, thinking that he is communicating with support. Fraudsters then use this data to quickly change the password, block the owner's access and use the account for their own purposes. In some cases, these bots redirect users to fake sites that mimic login pages. After entering their data, the victim transfers the information to the attackers themselves.

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"Fake Telegram bots are just one of the many ways of deception. Fraudsters also send phishing emails where, ostensibly on behalf of the support service, they ask you to follow a link to solve a problem. Such links lead to fake websites. Fake promotions and raffles promising gifts, bonuses or discounts but requiring card or account details are also common. Fraudulent calls are not uncommon, where attackers introduce themselves as employees of the company in order to extort confidential information," Betrozov said.

The lawyer said that marketplaces are a popular target for fraudsters for several reasons. First, they have a huge user base. Secondly, well-known brands inspire trust. If a person sees a familiar logo or receives a message from an "official account," he or she is less likely to doubt. Third, creating fake bots or phishing sites is relatively easy, making these schemes extremely lucrative for attackers.

"The consequences of having your account hacked can be serious. Fraudsters can steal personal information including addresses, phone numbers and payment information. Financial loss is another risk, as attackers can make purchases on your account or withdraw funds. In addition, your account could be used for subsequent scams, damaging your reputation," Betrozov added.

To protect yourself, you should follow a few simple rules. The lawyer emphasized that you should not enter your data by clicking on dubious links. At the same time, you should always check the address of the site to which the link leads.

"Use only official communication channels, contacting support via the app or the company's website. Enable two-factor authentication - this will make it much harder for fraudsters, even if they recognize your password. Check bots and messages carefully, paying attention to errors in the text, unusual requests or inconsistencies in communication style. And most importantly, remember that real support services never ask for passwords or card details," the expert concluded.

Earlier, on November 8, in the Post Bank said that during the sale activated fraudsters. As specified in the credit organization, the scheme of the attackers was to transfer users of the network to third-party sites and steal their data and money after the offer of the most profitable action.