The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs has issued a public warning regarding a new and sophisticated fraudulent scheme involving duplicated SIM cards, which allows criminals to gain unauthorized access to personal data.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) first announced this alarming new scam via its official Telegram channel, “Cyberpolice Bulletin of Russia.” According to the ministry, fraudsters are now employing a cunning tactic: they obtain duplicate SIM cards by presenting forged documents to mobile operators.
Once a duplicate SIM card is successfully activated, the perpetrators gain unfettered access to the victim`s SMS messages. This includes crucial confirmation codes for banking transactions, online accounts, and other sensitive personal data, effectively allowing them to hijack various digital services linked to the compromised phone number.
Recognizing the Warning Signs
To help citizens protect themselves, the MIA highlighted several key indicators that a phone number might have been compromised. Users should be highly vigilant if they experience sudden and unexplained internet connectivity issues or an unexpected, complete cessation of incoming calls and text messages. These unusual occurrences could be tell-tale signs of an attempt by fraudsters to intercept or redirect the phone number`s services.
Steps to Protect Yourself
If any suspicions arise that a phone number has fallen into the wrong hands, the MIA advises immediate action. Users should promptly contact their mobile operator to verify whether a duplicate SIM card has been issued for their number without their consent. Swift communication with the service provider is critical to mitigate potential damage and regain control.
Furthermore, for robust protection against such fraudulent activities, the Ministry of Internal Affairs strongly recommends changing passwords for all online accounts linked to the phone number. It is also imperative to enable two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible. This added layer of security significantly complicates unauthorized access, making it much harder for criminals to exploit a compromised SIM card to gain entry into personal accounts.
Additional Warnings from the MIA
In a related advisory, the Ministry of Internal Affairs had previously alerted Russian citizens about another dangerous phishing scam. This earlier scheme, circulated predominantly via Telegram messenger, falsely promised users detailed instructions on how to receive a new government payment, with the ultimate goal of collecting personal information for malicious purposes.
Clement Ashworth 
Barnaby Whitfield