Scammers again began promoting “investment projects” on behalf of Pavel Durov

Users are encouraged to quickly join a “closed investment community for the elite.” To do so, you must know Russian and take the survey.

The attackers promise earnings starting from $4,000, depending on the selected account. All transactions, they claim, are made through cryptocurrency.

According to the expert, in these schemes, attackers create fake web resources, social media accounts and instant messengers, and develop applications that imitate investment projects and exchanges. For the attacks, cybercriminal affiliate programs are launched, which allow fraudsters to share criminal work among program participants and collaborate with fraudulent call centers.

These sites are usually advertised via banners, pop-up notifications, posts and ads on social media and instant messengers. The victim leaves their contact information on the website and is then contacted by employees of fraudulent call centers, offering to transfer funds to “investors” and then supposedly return a large amount. They may also offer access to an investment platform, where once the balance is replenished, money cannot be withdrawn.

The expert recalled that investing is an activity with a certain risk, and promises of capital increase and high and stable passive income should arouse suspicion.

• In the spring of 2020, Pavel Durov accused Facebook and Instagram* of making money by advertising fraudulent schemes using his name. He also noted that ads on these social networks appear after approval by moderators. Durov then threatened to sue the companies.
• The entrepreneur reiterated that neither he nor Telegram offer people ways to make money, and also urged users to avoid cases of spreading fraudulent ads, which can later be used in case of litigation.

* belong to Meta, which is banned in Russia