As RIA Novosti reports with reference to the data of Kaspersky Lab experts, the fraudulent scam scheme operates under the guise of a New Year's drawing of prizes from large Russian retailers. Victims are offered to win gifts worth up to 500 thousand and even up to a million rubles.
"In order to receive a generous reward, the user must complete a small survey - ostensibly to improve the quality of service in stores", - said in the message.
In addition to answering simple questions, the participants in the scheme ask the addressees to send a message about the action to several contacts. This initiates a fan mailing that reaches many potential victims.
The cybercriminals ask bank customers to transfer one ruble for access to the competition database. Since the amount is small, many citizens transfer it, thus providing their credit card information to fraudsters. Those, in turn, get the opportunity to steal all of their money.
To give the appearance of legitimacy to their actions, scammers disguise their schemes as promotions of well-known brands.
They exploit the New Year theme by offering prizes and cash bonuses for simple actions. In fact, the purpose of the cybercriminals' activity is to gain access to the electronic wallets of Russians.