Science & Tech · Cybersecurity · 6 hrs ago
Russian police warn of fake clinic messages used to steal accounts
Russia’s Interior Ministry warned that scammers are posing as clinics in messaging apps to steal accounts.
They use hacked accounts made to look like clinic profiles and send messages about joining or leaving a clinic.
The messages may include personal details and links that lead to fake websites asking for an SMS code.
Scammers ask people to send that code in the chat, which can let them access the messaging account and other services, including the Gosuslugi government portal.
The ministry says government agencies do not use messaging apps or social media to confirm or update people’s details.
People should be invited to an in-person appointment for those procedures, and the warning offers no further next steps.
Russia’s Interior Ministry warned that scammers are posing as clinics in messages to steal accounts.
The fraudsters use hacked accounts styled as clinic profiles and send links about registering with or leaving a clinic.
The links lead to phishing sites that ask users for SMS codes, which scammers request in the clinic chat.
The stolen codes may give scammers access to messaging accounts and other services, including the Gosuslugi public services portal.
The ministry said government institutions do not use messaging apps or social networks to confirm or update personal information.
- Who
- Russia’s Interior Ministry warned about scammers posing as clinics.
- What
- The scammers use fake clinic messages and phishing links to steal account access.
- When
- The warning was reported on November 1, 2026.
- Where
- In messaging apps; the phishing links lead to websites. The sources do not specify a location.
- Why
- To obtain SMS codes and gain access to users’ accounts and other services.
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- Warning date
- November 1, 2026
- Impersonated accounts
- Hacked accounts styled as clinic profiles
- Requested information
- SMS code
- Potentially accessed service
- Gosuslugi public services portal