The psychologist pointed out the signs of the influence of scammers on the child

Scammers are increasingly targeting children and teenagers: they are threatened, presented as "intelligence officers" and forced to take money from their parents. Child psychologist Yana Tuzova, in an interview with Radio 1 on Friday, April 3, explained that the attackers are purposefully working with the most vulnerable audience.

According to her, the task of adults is not just to forbid, but to warn and help a child cope if he has already found himself in such a situation: the sooner children learn about the risks, the higher the chance of avoiding them. The expert noted that it is impossible to ignore the abrupt change in the behavior of a teenager. Many parents mistakenly attribute anxiety signals to puberty, but closeness, isolation, refusal to communicate, aggression, and constant use of the phone may indicate that the child has come under the influence of intruders. It is important to pay attention to his social circle, as well as interact with teachers.

Among the key "red flags" Tuzova highlighted changes related to money, such as the loss of funds from home or, conversely, the appearance of expensive things that the child could not purchase himself. Emotional instability is also an alarming sign: the child becomes irritable, withdrawn, and stops communicating. Another signal is increased secrecy: the desire for complete privacy, closed doors, and a sharp reaction to parents' attempts to look into the phone or room.

The psychologist stressed that it is vulnerable children who are most often "picked up" by intruders. An abrupt change — when an active and open—minded child suddenly becomes withdrawn - requires special attention. According to her, teachers also play an important role: they should not limit themselves to formal conversations, but monitor the atmosphere in the team, since bullying makes teenagers especially vulnerable to such schemes.

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Criminals take advantage of the gullibility of the younger Russians

On April 2, the Moscow Department of Education reported that fraudsters find schoolchildren in Minecraft game chats, after which they transfer them to the Telegram messenger and introduce themselves as "cybersecurity officers." The children are accused of allegedly passing information to foreign intelligence agencies, intimidated by detention and forced to take money from the family in order to transfer it to third parties, writes "Moscow 24".

Olga Yaroslavskaya, the Commissioner for Children's Rights in Moscow, spoke to the website on the same day. kp.ru She stated that scammers are increasingly attacking children through phone calls. The goal of such criminals is to destroy families. Yaroslavskaya stressed that modern school curricula do not cover children under the ninth grade, although it is from the seventh grade that teenagers most often fall for the tricks of scammers.

Mikhail Pashkin, the leader of the police officers' union, told NSN on March 26 that fraudsters can ingratiate themselves with children under the guise of online friends, promise meetings and give gifts, so it is important to monitor their correspondence and new things. He stressed that it is necessary to explain to children that it is impossible to take anything from anyone and receive any gifts.

Timofey Voronin, project manager, told RT on March 24 that it is easier to convince minors to transfer funds. Scammers offer children cheap game currency or accounts and use social engineering, which is why a child can easily be persuaded, notes 360.ru .

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