In Tatarstan, there is a rise in fraud through viruses in messengers.

      Version

      

      

      

       //

      

      

       Society

      

      

      

       //

       There is an increase in fraud through viruses in messengers in Tatarstan

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       There is an increase in fraud through viruses in messengers in Tatarstan

      

       545

      

      

      

      There is an increase in fraud through viruses in messengers in Tatarstan (photo: pxhere.com)

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

      

       In Tatarstan, the amount of money stolen by fraudsters is decreasing, however, there is an increase in crimes committed using viruses disguised as files and documents.

       In the first two months of 2026, residents of Tatarstan lost 740 million rubles due to the actions of fraudsters. Although this amount is less than the 986 million for the same period last year, the police are recording a sharp increase in a new type of scam – using malicious software. This was reported at a press conference at the IA "Tatar-inform" by the operative officer of the department for combating property crimes of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Tatarstan, Radis Yusupov. According to the specialist, criminals are actively spreading viruses through chats in messengers, disguising them as ordinary files and documents for download. Victims are sent photos, videos, or documents that turn out to be dangerous programs upon inspection. A particularly cynical scheme has targeted relatives of participants in the special military operation. They are sent files disguised as lists of the deceased, sick, unidentified, or prisoners of war. "If you accidentally click on a file, you need to put your phone in airplane mode and remove the SIM card. While the virus is on the phone, it can secretly send and receive SMS from you, for example, to restore access to 'Gosuslugi', online banking. The fraudster will be able to obtain all necessary information and access to cards," Yusupov warned. It was previously reported that Tatarstan was among eight subjects of Russia where the total amount of household debt on loans exceeded 1 trillion rubles. According to statistics, the main part of this amount is related to mortgage lending.

       Arina Mikhaylova

      

      

      

      

      

       Published: 18.03.2026 13:30

       Edited: 18.03.2026 13:30