Russian Fraudsters Shift Tactics: Crypto Investment Schemes Surge
Russian criminals are increasingly using cryptocurrency investment pitches as bait, marking a shift from traditional fraud methods like fake 'safe account' transfers. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) reports these schemes have dominated since early 2025, with scammers posing as brokers to lure victims onto fake trading platforms.
Fraudsters manipulate victims by displaying false profits, encouraging larger deposits before freezing accounts and draining funds. While crypto investments remain unregulated in Russia, officials hint at potential oversight by 2026. The MVD warns that classic scams—phishing, prepayment fraud, and money transfer traps—still persist but now rank below crypto-related cons.