Law enforcement authorities in Uzbekistan have dismantled an organized criminal group that targeted elderly people across Russia through a large-scale telephone fraud scheme.
According to investigators, the offenders illegally obtained personal data of more than 70,000 customers of Russian companies selling medicines and dietary supplements. Using this information, they primarily contacted elderly victims.
The scammers falsely claimed that the victims were entitled to substantial compensation for allegedly low-quality medicines. To receive the payment, victims were instructed to first transfer a so-called “tax” ranging from 5,000 to 20,000 rubles.
As a result, victims transferred a total of more than 9.59 million rubles to accounts controlled by the criminals.
Following the investigation, 21 members of the criminal group were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 years and 6 months to 9 years and 6 months. Another 13 defendants received restricted liberty sentences from 4 years and 3 months to 4 years and 6 months, along with substantial fines.
The case serves as another reminder that elderly people remain among the most vulnerable targets for telephone fraud. Families are encouraged to regularly discuss common scam tactics with their older relatives.
Source: Podrobno.uz
