Scammers began to deceive Russians through fake dating agencies

Scammers began using fake dating agencies to deceive Russians and steal their personal data. This became known on February 19.

"The attackers, disguised as dating agencies, are trying to gain access to the personal data of potential victims in several stages," MTS Defender told RIA Novosti.

It was clarified that scammers first call random numbers to identify single people, most often aged 40-50, who are interested in a relationship. Posing as employees of partner search agencies, they offer services and engage in dialogue, analysts explain.

If a potential victim shows interest, the scammers begin to clarify the details of the future partner — social status, city of residence and other data, creating the impression of a professional selection.

The publication noted that when trust is formed, the victim is offered to make an "entry fee" through the sent link, which allows fraudsters to gain access to the user's personal data and money.

According to the service, a step-by-step discussion of the details of dating helps to create the illusion of trust and increases the chances of attackers to succeed.

"Only scammers on the phone ask for personal data, bank card codes, passwords, and also ask to follow any links. In case of such a situation, do not share personal information, immediately stop the dialogue and hang up," the service reminded.

Letters of Misfortune: how government employees are being deceived by hackers

One of them opened the attackers' emails five times, and the other sent a malware file to his colleagues, asking them to help open it.

On February 19, Alexander Khaminsky, a lawyer and head of the law enforcement center in Moscow and the Moscow Region, warned that in order not to become a victim of fraud, money mistakenly transferred to a card by an outsider must be returned with the help of bank employees.

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