Fraud is trendy these days thanks to TV shows and the Internet that have put faces to some of the decade’s most notorious scams. Scammer stories dominate the streaming charts, and while the audience is eager to see others be duped, cheated, and heartbroken, they often don’t realize they’re becoming more and more vulnerable to these dirty tricks themselves.

In reality, the fraud industry is much larger than a phony heiress or a shady event organizer, and online criminals continue searching for new ways to make money and stash it away in their pockets. To thrive, online scammers rely heavily on anonymity rather than a showy personality to succeed, however, the anonymous don’t make it to TV shows.  The internet has made scams more prevalent because it allows fraudsters to work freely without leaving a trace. Technology enables scammers to reach people anywhere in the world, at no cost. Therefore, we can expect online fraud to continue growing in 2023 as the world seems to spiral out of control.

While online scams are getting more creative, they’re also increasing in number and scope.  Our Russian private detectives based in Moscow and St. Petersburg have put together a list of the most expected scam scenarios based on their experience.

The best business model for Russian scammers remains love fraud

Romance and bride scams in Russia are old news, but still the most profitable. As opposed to other types of fraud, romance remains “active” for long periods. Hacking a company’s system may generate more profit, but these are one-time events, with fewer potential targets and more risks for the criminals. Love fraud can be carried out for long periods -even years-, scammers can manipulate many individual victims simultaneously, and victims have little to no power to go after the scammers. This means it’s a steady and safe income for online criminals.

Moscow based private investigators emphasize the value of hiring expert background checks before engaging in any online contacts. While many victims think they will be able to recognize the scam from a mile away, statistics say otherwise.

Scammers will have their prey for as long as the war continues.

People in Russia and Ukraine are the victims of events that they didn’t request or create. They are experiencing economic hardship, being pushed into military service, or being attacked. In every scenario, real people are suffering.  If you meet someone online who says they need money to escape the country, buy groceries, or avoid military enlistment in Russia, it might be a scam. Moscow private investigators report that there are countless cases of con artists taking advantage of the circumstance.  If you meet someone in Russia or Ukraine, verification is critical.

Personal relationships are expected to pose the greatest risk of online fraud in 2023, so please contact us if you have begun an online relationship with someone in Russia. Early investment in a background check investigation can save you both time and money.

C. Wright

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