Scammers Use Digital Ruble in Fraud Schemes
Scammers are using the digital ruble in familiar fraud schemes, tricking sellers into shipping goods after claiming payment via digital rubles, with warnings from officials about verifying transactions independently.
Consensus
- Scammers are using the digital ruble to carry out fraud.
- Fraudulent buyers claim to have paid via digital rubles on classified ad platforms.
- Sellers are tricked into transferring goods after being directed to click links, scan QR codes, or enter banking details.
- The actual sender of the digital ruble transfer must confirm it and provide the recipient's phone number.
- Sellers should verify receipt of funds in their bank app before shipping goods.
- If funds are not visible in the digital ruble account, goods should not be sent.
- The digital ruble became available for mass use on September 1, 2026.
- Over 199,000 digital ruble accounts were opened in the first three weeks after launch.
Points of divergence
- Senators Artyom Sheykin noted that scammers may exploit the fact that not everyone understands the rules of digital ruble usage. — vedomosti
- QR codes from scammers may lead to fake pages requesting login, password, card details, or confirmation codes. — vedomosti
- Anatoly Aksakov warned in August that scammers might offer incentives for using the digital ruble. — vedomosti
- Elvira Nabiyulina reported to President Putin on September 23 that nearly 200,000 digital ruble accounts had been opened in the first three weeks. — vedomosti
Coverage (2 sources)
- Scammers began using the digital ruble to deceive sellers — Ведомости
- Scammers began using the digital ruble in familiar fraud schemes, says RIA News senator Artem Sheiki. — РИА Новости (Telegram)