Fraud calls plummet in Primorsky Krai—but seniors remain prime targets

Primorsky Krai has ranked among Russia's top 15 regions for the number of calls involving sophisticated fraud schemes, analysts report. Yet the total number of fraudulent calls in the region dropped by a factor of 1.8 in 2026 compared to the same period last year. The apparent paradox is easily explained: as standard scam tactics grow less effective, criminals are shifting to personalized, targeted attacks.

These multi-stage schemes often involve a chain of calls—from supposed "specialists" to "supervisors"—designed to lull victims into a false sense of security and persuade them to voluntarily transfer savings or disclose personal data. Heightened psychological pressure, voice changes, and impersonation of official agencies have all become hallmarks of this new wave of phone fraud.

The primary targets are seniors over 65, who account for more than 60% of all multi-step fraud calls in Primorsky Krai. Scammers know that older adults tend to be more trusting, less familiar with digital schemes, and more vulnerable to manipulation—especially when left alone at home.

For the second year running, the most common ploy involves offers of extra income or lucrative investments, making up roughly 40% of all complex attacks. Fraudsters also continue to pose as government agencies (tax service, pension fund, police), postal workers, or courier services. The goal remains the same: to trick victims into revealing SMS codes, card numbers, or transferring money to a so-called "secure account."

Most fraudulent calls in the region come in from Tuesday to Thursday, between 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM—when children and young people are in school, working-age adults are at their jobs, and seniors are often home alone. Criminals exploit this isolation to catch their victims off guard.