New fraud scheme: How are Telegram accounts stolen?

Criminals have developed a new scheme for stealing Telegram accounts in Russia — they gain access to accounts under the guise of Telegram "tech support." This was reported by Vasily Shutov, a lecturer at the Department of Information Security at RTU MIREA, according to the Prime agency.

Shutov described how the scheme works. Users typically receive a message purportedly from a messenger support staff member about receiving a request to delete their account. They are asked to follow the link provided and enter personal information and a security code. This allows access to the victim's account and correspondence.

The expert added that for security purposes, it is necessary to enable two-factor authentication. Additionally, Shutov advised treating any suspicious messages with caution.

Previously, specialists warned that parents' publications of photos, videos, and other biometric data of children could be used by criminals and fraudsters.

Yana Yurakova, an analyst at Positive Technologies research group, provided an example of how criminals could use additional information — for instance, a criminal might generate an audio file where a child's voice reads a note demanding ransom.