Russian police have warned citizens against a new online scam where fraudsters promise to set up virtual foreign bank cards to steal personal data.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Russian Federation uncovered the scheme after criminals began targeting people who want to make purchases on overseas websites, according to official documents reviewed by the state news agency TASS.
Investigators said that fraudsters place online advertisements offering to register virtual payment cards issued in other countries. The scammers claim these cards allow users to pay for international subscription platforms and online shopping services, demanding an upfront fee for their assistance.
To complete the supposed registration, the criminals ask customers to provide copies of their national passports, existing bank card numbers and other confidential personal information.
Once the victims transfer the required payment and send over their identity documents, the perpetrators break off all contact without providing the promised cards.
Identity theft and fraudulent loans
The Ministry of Internal Affairs warned that the danger extends far beyond the loss of the initial service fee. Criminals frequently use the collected identity documents and payment information to commit further offences, including draining victims' existing bank accounts and taking out consumer loans in their names.
Demand for foreign payment methods has risen across Russia because domestic bank cards cannot process transactions with many international merchants and digital services. Virtual cards, which exist purely as digital credentials rather than physical plastic, have become a common workaround for consumers looking to purchase software, media subscriptions and foreign goods.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, known domestically as the MVD, operates as the country's central law enforcement authority, overseeing police operations and investigating digital financial crimes. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly alerted the public to online fraud operations that exploit consumer difficulties with international banking.
Police warning on personal data
In response to the growing threat, the interior ministry urged citizens never to send passport copies or sensitive credentials to unfamiliar individuals online, regardless of the products or services they offer.
The warning follows another recent deception scheme identified by police, in which fraudsters impersonated delivery service workers and claimed that customers had encountered a payment error to trick them out of their banking credentials.
