New Scam Targets Russians Before September 1st Academic Year

Russia`s Interior Ministry Warns of Electronic Diary Scam

As September 1st approaches, marking the start of the academic year, fraudsters have launched a new deceptive scheme. Posing as school representatives, they contact Russian citizens, offering to “link” their phone numbers to electronic school diaries. The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) issued a warning about this new trick, conceived by cybercriminals, via its Telegram channel “Herald of the Cyberpolice of Russia.”

According to the ministry, these malicious actors contact Russians via phone calls or messaging apps, impersonating educational staff or technical support representatives. They claim it is essential to confirm a phone number, update personal data, or activate an account for the electronic diary to function correctly.

The next step involves asking the victim to provide a code received via SMS. This code can then be used by the fraudsters to gain unauthorized access to the victim`s accounts on government portals like “Gosuslugi” (Public Services), online banking platforms, or other digital services. Alternatively, a phishing link might be sent, directing the user to a fraudulent website where they are prompted to enter their confidential personal information. In both scenarios, the outcome is the theft of the victim`s personal data.

“To effectively protect against such schemes, it is crucial to remember that official representatives of educational institutions will never request SMS codes, passwords, or passport details over the phone,” emphasized the Interior Ministry.

The ministry further noted that all operations related to electronic diaries should be conducted exclusively through official school portals or the “Gosuslugi” system, without involving any third parties. The ministry advises immediately terminating any suspicious calls and independently contacting the educational institution to verify any information.

It has also been previously reported that cybercriminals are increasingly employing artificial intelligence in their illicit activities. Specifically, they are creating deepfake videos that mimic the appearance and voice of potential victims` relatives or acquaintances.