Russian man loses 3M rubles in fake brokerage investment scam
A 63-year-old man in Ussuriysk has lost 3 million rubles after falling victim to a fake brokerage scam. The incident has led to a criminal investigation under Russia's large-scale fraud laws.
The Primorsky Territory Prosecutor's Office is now overseeing the case, which follows a pattern of financial deception targeting individuals through messaging apps.
The victim first encountered the scammers through an offer in a messaging app. They promised quick and easy profits through investments. Trusting the proposal, he transferred over 3 million rubles to accounts he believed belonged to a legitimate brokerage firm.
After the transfers, the fraudsters claimed his investments had generated dividends. However, they then demanded additional fees to release the supposed earnings. Suspecting deception, the man reported the crime to local police. Authorities have classified the case under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code, which covers large-scale fraud. While broader economic crime statistics for Primorsky Krai in 2025 list 348 offences—including 33 fraud cases tied to fuel supply programs—no exact figures exist for similar broker-related scams in recent years.
The investigation remains under the supervision of the Primorsky Territory Prosecutor's Office. The victim's losses total 3 million rubles, with no indication of recovered funds so far. Authorities continue to examine the case as part of wider efforts to combat financial fraud in the region.
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