Messaging applications have become the most common tool for criminal messages and calls, prompting a strong warning from the Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD). The ministry has urged citizens to exercise heightened caution, highlighting the prevalent use of these platforms for fraudulent activities.
According to MVD statistics, law enforcement agencies registered over 142,000 crimes perpetrated via messaging apps in the first half of 2025 alone. This data clearly indicates that fraudsters predominantly utilize instant messaging services for their illicit operations, contacting victims through various means, including text messages, voice calls, and even video calls.
The MVD explained that communication through messengers is particularly favored by Ukrainian call centers involved in these scams. This preference stems from the fact that internet-based connections are considerably more challenging to trace and block compared to traditional telephone calls, providing a layer of anonymity and operational security for the perpetrators.
“Furthermore,” the ministry added, “messengers are also being exploited by Ukrainian special services as a means to recruit our citizens for involvement in various criminal activities.”
This latest alert follows a previous warning issued by the MVD concerning a distinct scam targeting children through phone calls. In those incidents, fraudsters typically coerce children into taking photos of applications installed on their parents` mobile phones, likely as a preliminary step to gain access or information.
Clement Ashworth 
Barnaby Whitfield