The scammers embezzled an advance payment for a tour to the Caucasus and disappeared with the money

The scammers lured 12 thousand rubles from a Muscovite woman under the pretext of making an advance payment for a youth tour to Dagestan, and disappeared with the money. The victim Valentina told Izvestia about this on December 23.

The girl intended to go to the Caucasus, and browsed social networks, registering under the publications of popular tour operators. In November, she was contacted by the organizers of youth tours in Dagestan, who offered several recreation programs.

"The account had 25 thousand subscribers, a large number of reviews and comments. Nothing suggested that they might be scammers. <...> They sent a lot of information: about rooms, dates, meals. I chose the biggest program for five days," Valentina clarified.

The girl was persuaded to make an advance payment of 12 thousand rubles. It was assumed that she would transfer the remaining amount — more than 18 thousand rubles — in cash to the guide.

"I was also asked to inform you when I will purchase air tickets. It was probably done to distract the eyes," the victim added.

A day before departure, the Muscovite woman contacted the representative of the travel agency again in the hope of clarifying information about the trip, but the messages remained unanswered, and the girl herself was blacklisted.

According to Valentina, scammers regularly change the name of the fraudulent account and continue to sell New Year's tours. The girl intends to contact the police.

On a personal note: a scheme of deception with powers of attorney is gaining momentum in Russia

Fraudsters use the numbers of real-life documents

On October 7, Andrey Biychuk, director of the MTS Defender product, told Izvestia that fraudsters had come up with a new scheme of deception: they ingratiate themselves into the confidence of Russians by offering to buy "last-minute" New Year tours, and disappear by luring money. Scammers process victims over the phone under the guise of travel agency managers. The interviewee is offered to plan a vacation at a low price in advance, and after choosing a tour, they are persuaded to make an advance payment for booking.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.