Scammers began to deceive Russians through the online "Secret Santa" challenge

A new fraudulent scheme has appeared on social networks, disguised as the popular online challenge "Secret Santa" - intruders offer Russians to exchange gifts without sending anything in return. This was announced on September 19 by Alla Khrapunova, the curator of the Moshelovka platform.

The woman explained that initially the purpose of the "secret Santa" was the anonymous exchange of gifts between people for New Year and Christmas, but the scammers found a way to disguise their actions even in this traditional challenge. They also began to create communities that unsuspecting strangers joined.

"The attackers are sending out suggestions like "let's make the kids happy.": you'll buy for my child, and I'll buy for yours," or they post such offers on social media statuses. The schemes are simple. In the light version, the scammer receives a gift, but does not send you anything," said Harpunova.

She added that sometimes a fraudulent organizer indicates to all participants of his fake challenge one delivery address — his own or convinces Russians to make a contribution of a small amount, which will go to the so-called "general fund with insurance", which supposedly protects from unscrupulous participants. As a rule, after the transfer of funds, the deceived citizen notices that his chat with the "Secret Santa" disappears.

Khrapunova stressed that links to fake websites with a popular challenge are especially dangerous. The user who clicked on them is invited to leave on the service not only their New Year's wishes, but also personal information.

The expert urged to be careful and not to trust unverified links in order to avoid financial losses and loss of personal data.

Bad Santa: scammers profit from the New Year holidays

Experts told about the most dangerous schemes of cybercriminals

BI.ZONE Mail Security analysts reported on December 12 that on the eve of the New Year, fraudsters will begin to deceive Russians through mail. According to their information, using their seasonal scenarios, attackers can start offering delivery of corporate gifts, specify addresses, issue invoices and request confirmation of shipments. As the company warned, they can even attach a "receipt" to their messages.

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