Authorities in Russia have issued a warning about a new type of phone fraud specifically targeting prospective university students. Scammers, posing as official university representatives, are attempting to steal applicants` accounts on the `Gosuslugi` state services portal under the false premise of assisting with the admission process for state-funded spots.
These criminals contact applicants, often promising them a high chance of securing a sought-after state-funded university placement. As part of the scam, they instruct the students to click on a sent phishing link. This link directs unsuspecting victims to a fake website that is meticulously designed to look identical to the legitimate Gosuslugi portal.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, if an applicant falls for the deception and enters their credentials on the fraudulent site, the scammers gain unauthorized access to their sensitive Gosuslugi account. If, however, the applicant recognizes the scam and refuses to click the link or provide information, the fraudsters reportedly resort to threats, claiming that the student will be denied admission to any university altogether as a consequence.
Clement Ashworth 
Barnaby Whitfield