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- Warm welcome: how scammers speculate on the topic of spring gas inspections
Warm welcome: how scammers speculate on the topic of spring gas inspections
Fraudsters can use various schemes to deceive Russians against the background of scheduled spring inspections of gas equipment, experts have warned about this. Criminals take advantage of the fact that traditional gas inspections cover a wide range of the population, which means that the chances of intruders gaining confidence in potential victims increase significantly. For more information about how scammers speculate on the topic of spring gas inspections, how dangerous such schemes are and how to protect themselves from them, read the Izvestia article.
Why is the topic of spring gas inspections interesting to fraudsters
Scammers seek to use any excuse to deceive users. Traditional gas inspections cover a wide range of the population, which significantly increases the chances of intruders gaining the trust of victims, says the head of BI in an interview with Izvestia.ZONE Digital Risk Protection Dmitry Kiryushkin.
"When implementing this scenario, fraudsters rely on massive deception, rather than extracting as much benefit as possible from a small number of victims," the expert notes.
At the same time, the attackers act both online and in real life, pretending to be gas workers. According to Alexandra Shmigirilova, GR director of the Security Code information security company, gas checks are a good excuse for fraudsters to gain personal access to victims, especially if they are prepared externally.
This topic allows attackers to immediately gain a high level of trust — a person cannot just hang up the phone, and not everyone is ready to argue with official-looking employees. In a personal conversation, fraudsters, especially those who know the techniques of psychological persuasion, can easily make a person believe that he needs to replace the device and pay for it using the suggested link or QR code, the expert notes.
What schemes on the topic of gas inspections should we expect in 2026
In the spring of this year, criminals, according to Dmitry Kiryushkin, may place ads with fake QR codes in the entrances, which will lead to fraudulent resources. Most likely, the website will ask you to leave the data under the pretext of checking the gas in the apartment. To confirm the service, attackers may require you to provide the SMS code.
BI.ZONE AntiFraud experts note that fraudsters can call residents, posing as employees of gas services or contractors, and report an alleged gas leak in the house or a mass inspection. Further, there are several possible options for the development of the scheme:
— access to the apartment. Under the pretext of an urgent check, the scammers arrange a visit. Once in the apartment, they can demand payment for diagnostics or impose a replacement of equipment;
— phone fraud. The caller convinces you to pay a "fine", an "urgent check" or "insurance" through a money transfer;
— collection of personal data. Under the guise of making an application, the attackers request passport data, SMS codes, or banking information.
At the same time, fraudsters can use various manipulations and increase pressure, creating the illusion of formality, warns Dmitry Kiryushkin.
— For example, after the first call, "dispatchers" or "security service" can additionally be connected, — he clarifies.
In turn, Maxim Fedosenko, a leading engineer and analyst at the Gazinformservice Cybersecurity Analytical Center, expects hybrid attacks on "gas" topics to flourish in 2026: potential victims will first be "warmed up" in messengers through fake accounts of management companies using social engineering methods, and then using phishing to try to gain access to their "digital assets". In addition, according to the expert, we should expect attempts to spread malicious Trojans under the guise of mobile applications for "monitoring gas leaks" or "paying for housing and communal services without commission."
What schemes on the subject of gas inspections have been encountered before
Meanwhile, the attackers have been trying to speculate on the topic of spring inspections of gas equipment for several years. In particular, as Evgeny Egorov, a leading analyst at the Digital Risk Protection department of F6, notes, the "gas workers" scenario is well known: they contact via messenger, pretending to be representatives of the gas company, and inform about the need to repay a non-existent debt and eventually steal money from the account.
"At the same time, even if the victim does not have gas equipment, the attackers assure that the debt is still owed to her, and they strongly advise her to pay it off immediately by sending a phishing link with her consent," the expert explains.
Another scenario is that fraudsters disguised as dispatchers report checking the heating system or replacing meters, says Evgeny Egorov. By SMS from a fake number, they give the victim a random confirmation code that they are supposedly trying to receive. Then the person is intimidated by the threat of hacking into the personal account of a public service and criminal liability, after which they demand the transfer of funds to a "secure" account or transfer them to a courier.
According to a data analyst at the .RU/ Domain Coordination Center.Russian Federation Evgenia Pankova, such schemes are mainly aimed at the elderly, who are accustomed to trusting official structures and react more acutely to reports of a security threat. However, their victims can also be busy people who don't have time to double-check information. After meeting a "gas service representative" or receiving a plausible message, they tend to resolve the issue quickly and effortlessly.
"In addition to direct financial losses, such schemes are dangerous because personal data entered on a phishing site can be used for schemes with elements of social engineering, and bank card data can be used in other fraudulent schemes or sold to third parties," the expert warns.
How to protect yourself from gas inspection fraud schemes
To protect yourself from fraud schemes on the topic of spring gas inspections, cybersecurity experts interviewed by Izvestia advise following certain rules. First of all, it is important to know that the maintenance of gas equipment is carried out at least once a year and is a prerequisite for gas supply, recalls Nikita Novikov, an expert on cybersecurity at Angara Security.
"In accordance with current legislation, specialized organizations that transport gas to the junction of the gas distribution network with the gas pipeline that is part of the domestic gas equipment are responsible for the maintenance and repair of indoor and indoor gas equipment," the source tells Izvestia.
All necessary information about the verification dates is posted on the websites of regional gas companies and distributed through official print or electronic media, Nikita Novikov notes. It is important to remember that representatives of management companies and service organizations do not communicate with citizens in personal messages on social networks and messengers. In turn, Dmitry Kiryushkin advises to check the information on the official resources of organizations, as well as to clarify the schedule of gas inspection from the management company.
— Be careful, do not leave data on untrusted sites and do not name the SMS code — in most cases, scammers are behind this, — the expert urges.
To determine whether a site is official, you can use the WHOIS+ service, adds Evgeny Pankov. If you enter the domain's address in the search bar, the response will show its administrator. For example, for mos-gaz.ru it will be MOSGAZ JSC, and for tulagorgaz.ru — JSC Tulagorgaz. If instead of the name of a well—known organization, the answer is a private individual or an unknown company, then you are most likely looking at a fake website, the Izvestia interlocutor concludes.
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