Russia (RU)
The world's largest country, spanning Europe and Asia, with deep cultural institutions, large cities, strong public transport, complex bureaucracy, sanctions-affected banking, strict migration registration, and a demanding but sometimes affordable expat experience.
Scam Warnings
Common scams targeting expats in Russia.
Russia's fraud landscape is acute: Sberbank's deputy chairman estimated 50,000–70,000 people fall victim to scammers every day, and the Bank of Russia detected over 4,000 fraudulent and illegal schemes in H1 2025 alone. Telephone bank impersonation is the most common crime type. For foreigners, the risks are compounded by sanctions-driven limitations on Western banking, pressure to use informal financial channels, fake document and registration services, and a shrinking set of Western reporting tools accessible from within Russia. Note: as of 2026, more than 400 VPN services are restricted in Russia; fake circumvention tools carry malware risk. Always use official channels.
Bank Impersonation Phone Scam (Sberbank / VTB / Tinkoff)
criticalRussia's most pervasive fraud. A caller spoofing the number of Sberbank, VTB, Tinkoff, Alfa-Bank or Gazprombank claims to be from "bank security" and reports a suspicious transaction on your account. They ask you to transfer funds to a "safe account," share an SMS code, or confirm card details to "protect" your money. AI was used in 80% of phishing attacks in 2025. Banks prevented ₽3.5 trillion in fraud in Q3 2025 alone.
- - Unsolicited call from any number, even one appearing to match your bank — caller ID is routinely spoofed
- - Caller asks for SMS code, card number, CVV or PIN — no bank ever needs these over the phone
- - "Safe account" narrative: you are told to transfer funds to another account for protection
- - Urgency and secrecy: "Act in the next 5 minutes or your account will be frozen"
- - Caller knows your partial card number or name — this data is widely available from leaked databases
Fake Migration Registration Service
criticalA landlord, agent or online service sells a paper migration registration that is not tied to a real address, or uses a ghost address. Foreigners legally must register at their actual place of residence within 7 days of arrival. A fake registration appears valid but exposes the holder to deportation, fines and criminal liability when checked by authorities.
- - Host or agent refuses to use the official MFC (Multifunctional Centre) or police registration process
- - No detachable tear-off notification slip or MFC confirmation is provided after registration
- - Registration address differs from where you actually reside
- - Registration offered for a fee with no involvement from the actual property owner
- - Documents are handed over in a hurry without official stamps or system entry
Fake Passport and Document Acceleration Service
criticalScammers advertise accelerated processing of Russian documents — foreign passports, residence permits, visa extensions — for a fee. After upfront payment and document scans are submitted, the scammer disappears. The stolen documents (passport, SNILS, TIN) are used to register fraudulent electronic wallets and financial accounts, making the victim a money mule by proxy.
- - Service promises documents in an unrealistically short time (e.g. "passport in 3 days")
- - Requests scans of your passport, SNILS, INN and other personal documents along with full prepayment
- - Contact is via Telegram or a non-official website with no registered business address
- - Claims to have contacts inside MFC, MIA or government ministries
- - No official receipt, contract or verifiable company registration provided
Apartment Deposit and Rental Listing Fraud
criticalFake rental listings on Avito, CIAN and Telegram groups collect deposits before in-person viewing or ownership verification. Scammers use photos from legitimate listings and may impersonate real estate agents. Moscow and St Petersburg are highest-risk markets given high rental demand and expat concentration.
- - Rent is significantly below comparable properties in the same area and condition
- - Landlord or agent pressures you to transfer a deposit before any viewing is arranged
- - Agent cannot provide a title extract (выписка из ЕГРН) or show proof of ownership
- - Communication is exclusively via Telegram; no in-person meeting before payment
- - No written lease contract (договор найма) or official receipts offered
Sanctions Gap Money Transfer Scam
criticalInformal agents offer to move money in or out of Russia — exploiting the gap left by SWIFT disconnection and withdrawal of Western payment processors. Some recruit foreigners as "money mules": you receive funds into your account, then forward them to a third party. This makes you a participant in money laundering, with serious legal and sanctions consequences in both Russia and your home country.
- - An agent asks you to receive a transfer into your account and then send it to another party
- - Large, unexplained commission offered for a "simple" money relay transaction
- - Service advertised on Telegram groups, expat forums or social media as an "alternative banking" solution
- - No formal business registration, licence or paper trail associated with the service
Ozon / Wildberries Marketplace Phishing
warningScammers impersonating Ozon or Wildberries sellers or support staff send external payment links claiming to be for a purchase, refund or delivery confirmation. Clicking the link leads to a credential-harvesting site that captures your banking login or card details. AI-generated copy in 2025 makes phishing messages nearly indistinguishable from genuine platform messages.
- - Message asks you to pay or confirm a transaction via an external link (not within the official Ozon or Wildberries app)
- - Domain in the link is misspelled or uses a different top-level domain from the official site
- - Seller in a chat requests personal card details or a transfer outside the platform payment system
- - Unusual urgency: "confirm in 10 minutes or your order is cancelled"
Fake VPN and Circumvention Tool Apps
warningFollowing Russia's blocking of over 400 VPN services by 2026, demand for circumvention tools has surged. Scammers and state-adjacent actors distribute fake VPN apps via Telegram channels, third-party APK sites and fraudulent App Store listings. These apps contain malware, harvest credentials or monitor traffic. Additionally, using unapproved VPNs now carries legal risk: new 2025 legislation introduces fines for VPN use to access banned content.
- - VPN app promoted via Telegram channel or unofficial download link rather than official app stores
- - App requests unusual permissions (contacts, SMS, camera) that a VPN does not need
- - App has no verifiable developer identity or privacy policy
- - Significant battery drain, data usage or background activity after installation
- - App is offered free with no business model — typically indicates data harvesting
Police / Document Check Extortion
warningIndividuals posing as plain-clothes police, migration officers or FSB agents approach foreigners and demand to inspect documents, then claim irregularities and suggest a cash "fine" paid on the spot to avoid detention. This practice is documented in tourist and expat areas.
- - Person approaches you without a marked police vehicle or official in-uniform presence
- - Cash payment demanded immediately on the street rather than through an official fine process
- - Refuses to identify themselves with a badge number or take you to an official police precinct
- - Targets foreigners specifically, often when alone
Romance / Visa Sponsorship Scam
warningOnline contact requests money for visa invitation letters, "official" fines, travel documents or emergency situations. In the Russian context, scammers may also claim to be providing a legitimate "sponsor" for a business visa or work permit, collecting fees before the documentation materialises.
- - Contact met only online and has never agreed to a live video call or in-person meeting
- - Requests urgent payment for visa invitation, government fees or travel documents
- - Documents provided look edited or cannot be verified with the issuing authority
- - Increasing requests for money following initial payments
Reporting
Where to report: Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD / МВД) — cybercrime and fraud: mvd.ru | emergency 102 or 112. Bank of Russia — financial fraud and illegal schemes: cbr.ru/eng/protection_rights | online reception at cbr.ru. Rospotrebnadzor — consumer rights (goods and services): rospotrebnadzor.ru. Note: many Western fraud reporting tools are inaccessible from Russian IP addresses in 2026.
Consumer helpline: Bank of Russia consumer helpline: 8-800-300-30-00 (free within Russia) | cbr.ru. Rospotrebnadzor: rospotrebnadzor.ru (online complaints portal). Emergency police: 102. Unified emergency: 112.