The Russian Ministry of Internal Affairs (MVD) has issued a warning to citizens regarding a new fraudulent scheme that heavily relies on the Google Meet application.
Cybercriminals have started leveraging the widespread availability and popularity of Google Meet to defraud Russians. This alert comes from the MVD`s department for combating illegal use of information and communication technologies, shared via their Telegram channel.
The MVD explained that Google Meet`s appeal to fraudsters stems from its pre-installation on most Android smartphones. This widespread presence significantly simplifies the deception process, as perpetrators no longer need to convince potential victims to download and install third-party applications.
Law enforcement officials noted that recent restrictions on voice calls in foreign messengers, which were previously a primary channel for scammers, pushed criminals to actively seek alternative methods. The Google Meet scam is one such workaround they have adopted to continue their illicit activities.
Notably, users from various Russian regions, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Ivanovo Oblast, and the Republic of Karelia, have recently reported service disruptions with Google Meet, coinciding with this new warning.
