The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has outlined five crucial indicators to help individuals identify fraudsters who are communicating from the compromised online accounts of people they know. This vital information was disseminated through the “Bulletin of Cyberpolice of Russia” Telegram channel, aiming to enhance cyber security awareness among the public.
Recognizing the Warning Signs:
Experts from the Ministry highlight that if a contact`s profile has been compromised, their communication style will undergo a significant and noticeable change. Here are the primary red flags:
- Unusual Communication Style: The person`s tone, vocabulary, or general manner of speaking may seem uncharacteristic or abrupt.
- Suspicious Links or Files: Scammers frequently send unsolicited links or files, often urging immediate opening without providing clear or convincing explanations.
- Activity at Unusual Hours: Malicious actors may become active at odd times, such as late at night or very early in the morning, which might be out of character for the real account owner.
- Avoidance of Voice Calls and Urgent Demands: They will typically insist on avoiding voice calls, ignore clarifying questions, and press for urgent fulfillment of their requests, often creating a sense of panic or urgency.
- Refusal to Clarify: If they avoid answering direct questions or provide vague responses, it`s a strong indicator.
Proactive Verification Steps:
In addition to observing these general signs, the Ministry of Internal Affairs recommends several proactive measures to verify the true identity of the interlocutor:
- Change the Communication Channel: If a suspicious message arrives via one messenger, try to contact the person through a different application, another social network, or even a phone call if possible. This forces the scammer to adapt or reveal their inability to access other platforms.
- Introduce a Factual Error: Deliberately insert a small, plausible factual error into the conversation. If the interlocutor fails to notice or correct it, this is a strong reason to suspect you are speaking with a fraudster. The real person would likely correct you.
- Take Short Pauses: Experts advise taking brief pauses in your communication, around 10-15 minutes. Fraudsters often operate on urgency and efficiency; such delays can cause them to lose interest and discontinue the dialogue.
- Ask Personal Questions: Crucially, ask the interlocutor about specific details known only to them and you personally. These could include memories of your last meeting, the name of a shared pet, specific details of a gift you gave, or other unique personal moments. A scammer will likely be unable to answer accurately or will evade the question.
Important Note: There have been previous forecasts suggesting that cyber fraud is increasingly supplanting traditional phone scams, rapidly becoming the predominant threat in the realm of online deception. Staying vigilant and informed is more important than ever.
Clement Ashworth 
Barnaby Whitfield