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Russia Sees Drop in Remote Thefts, but Fraud Losses Surge Amid Telegram Bot Scams

Telegram bots are the new tool for scammers in Russia. Despite a drop in remote thefts, fraud losses are soaring, and authorities urge caution when using these platforms for currency exchange.

This image consists of a coin. On this coin, I can see some text.
This image consists of a coin. On this coin, I can see some text.

Russia Sees Drop in Remote Thefts, but Fraud Losses Surge Amid Telegram Bot Scams

In a recent turn of events, Russia has witnessed a decline in remote theft registrations, marking a 17.5% drop. Meanwhile, the country's total fraud losses have surged to 134 billion rubles in the first eight months of the year, up from 116 billion in 2024. Authorities have identified Telegram bots as a new tool used by scammers to defraud unsuspecting victims.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs' department for combating unlawful use of information technologies has reported a rise in Telegram bot fraud cases. However, the identities of those behind these schemes remain unknown. Despite this, officials warn against using such bots for currency exchange, as they often promise better rates than official channels but lack accountability.

In terms of trends, while cybercrimes increased by 13% in 2024, they decreased by 4% in 2025. Similarly, the growth rate of fraud losses slowed down from an initial 65% to 26% by August. This suggests a shift in the landscape of cybercrime, with authorities adapting their strategies to combat evolving threats.

While registrations of remote thefts have decreased, fraud losses in Russia continue to rise, driven partly by the emergence of Telegram bot scams. Authorities urge caution when using such platforms for currency exchange, emphasizing the importance of sticking to official, licensed channels. As cybercrime tactics evolve, so too must the efforts to combat them.

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