Russian woman loses $2,700 in SMS and QR code scam wave

A 48-year-old woman in Dzerzhinsk lost over 250,000 rubles (around $2,700) after falling for a scam involving SMS codes and a QR link. Police have since launched an investigation, uncovering dozens of similar cases in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Authorities warn that fraudsters continue to target victims through messaging apps and fake payment requests.

The incident began when the victim received a message asking her to read out a verification code from an SMS. She was then directed to follow a QR link, which allowed the scammers to access her bank account. Money was withdrawn twice before she realised what had happened.

An investigation by local police revealed 57 similar fraud cases in the area. Despite these incidents, no nationwide reports of SIM card or QR link frauds connected to Russia have surfaced in the past year. Public records show no available data on such cases. Authorities have now opened a criminal case against the fraudsters. If convicted, they could face up to six years in prison for their role in the scams.

The case highlights the ongoing risks of digital fraud, particularly through fake SMS codes and malicious links. Police continue to track similar schemes, though no broader pattern of such crimes has been reported across Russia. The investigation remains active, with potential prison sentences for those found guilty.