Phone scams surge in Nizhny Novgorod as fraudsters exploit trust

Fraudsters are weaponizing panic and trust to drain accounts. Why are so many still falling for these deceptive calls—and how can you stay safe?

, and Administrator

2026 March 15 . 9:15 PM

1 min read

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Phone scams surge in Nizhny Novgorod as fraudsters exploit trust

Phone scams remain a major threat in the Nizhny Novgorod region, with fraudsters increasingly targeting residents through deceptive calls. The most widespread tactic involves criminals posing as bank staff to steal personal and financial details. Official figures from 2023 highlight the scale of the problem, with over a thousand reported cases of such fraud.

Bank impersonation scams—known as vishing—topped the list of phone fraud in the region last year. Scammers contact victims while pretending to be bank employees, persuading them to share card details or one-time SMS codes. According to regional cybercrime data, 1,247 cases of this type were recorded in 2023 alone.

Another common scheme involves fraudsters claiming a relative is in urgent need of money. By creating a sense of panic, they pressure victims into transferring funds immediately. Scammers also exploit the 'Gosuslugi code' trick, convincing people to hand over verification codes that grant access to their accounts. Once inside, criminals take out loans or credit in the victim's name. Authorities warn that these scams rely on manipulation and false urgency. Victims often realise too late that their personal data or savings have been compromised.

The rise in bank impersonation and 'relative in distress' scams shows how fraudsters adapt their methods to exploit trust. With 1,247 reported cases of vishing in 2023, residents are urged to verify unexpected calls and never share sensitive information. Officials continue to monitor the situation as scammers refine their tactics to bypass security measures.