Daniil Borislavsky, product director for information security at Staffcop (Contour.Egida), has issued a warning regarding the emergence of fake psychological support services online. He disclosed this new and perilous scam, designed to defraud Russians, in a recent interview.
How the Scammers Operate
According to the IT expert, these criminals are disguising themselves as helplines or Telegram chats offering psychological assistance. Their deceptive advertisements and messages promise free support, using appealing slogans such as “Psychologist 24/7,” “Anonymous and no appointment needed,” or “Help for those affected by crisis.”
When a user accesses one of these fraudulent chats or websites, they are greeted by a bot or a supposed “consultant.” The interaction typically begins with seemingly empathetic questions like “How are you feeling?” or “What`s bothering you?” This initial phase sets the stage for the fraudulent scheme.
Three Main Scenarios of Deception
Borislavsky outlined several methods employed by the fraudsters:
- Conditional Payment: After a conversation lasting approximately 10-15 minutes, users are told they must “verify their identity or make a symbolic payment to continue.” This is presented as a refundable deposit, often amounting to 200 or 500 rubles. However, any card details entered are immediately stolen by the scammers.
- Personal Data Collection: Another variant involves requesting the victim to complete a “specialist selection questionnaire,” which demands their full name, phone number, and even workplace information. This sensitive data can then be misused.
- Telegram Account Theft: The third scenario involves tricking users into “confirming their account to continue working with the bot.” They are then redirected to a fake page meticulously designed to mimic Telegram. Entering a phone number and an SMS verification code into this fraudulent interface results in the complete theft of their messenger account, granting scammers access to personal correspondence and contacts.
“The primary tactic here is exploiting emotional vulnerability. In a stressful state, people aren`t thinking about URLs or licenses; they just need someone to listen. This makes the scheme even more dangerous, as it preys on the hope of receiving support.”
Why This Scheme is Effective
“Why does this work?” Borislavsky pondered. “The market for telemedicine and psychological consultations has grown exponentially; online sessions no longer surprise anyone. During crisis periods, people urgently seek help without meticulously verifying sources. Scammers effectively exploit the growing trend of mental health awareness – it`s a prominent topic, which significantly increases trust.”
Consequences of Falling Victim
Borislavsky emphasized that through these questionnaires and stolen card details, criminals build a comprehensive digital profile of their victims. This profile can later be leveraged for blackmail, obtaining microloans in the victim`s name, or executing targeted cyberattacks. In some cases, the reward for the scammers is even more valuable: full access to a Telegram account, which contains private correspondence, contact lists, and critical data for further illicit activities.
The expert believes this fraudulent scheme is set to evolve further. While it currently involves chats and websites, he predicts the emergence of deepfake online psychologists in the near future. These sophisticated operations would involve AI-powered figures, bearing the face and voice of well-known experts, conducting sessions and then, at the conclusion, deceptively requesting “card confirmation.”
Borislavsky had previously issued warnings about phishing campaigns circulating online, which masqueraded as official notifications from schools. Parents received SMS messages or emails requesting payment for textbooks, extracurricular activities, or their child`s transportation, often including malicious links or QR codes designed to steal information.
