Russian Woman Loses 28M Rubles in Year-Long Crypto Scam Case
- Kursk woman has lost 28 million rubles after a year-long crypto scam via messaging apps.
- Scammers posed as foreign investors, promising high returns to keep the victim sending funds.
- The victim sold homes, a car, gold, and borrowed money before the fraudsters vanished.
A cryptocurrency investment scam in Russia has left a Kursk resident with losses totaling 28 million rubles. The regional office of Russia’s Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed the victim was a 46-year-old woman from Kursk. Her involvement in the scheme lasted nearly a year. Police said the case followed a familiar pattern seen in recent crypto-related fraud reports.
Scam Built Through Long-Term Online Contact
According to investigators, the Russian woman met a man through a messaging application. He stated that he was living in an Arab nation and posed as a prosperous investor of cryptocurrency. Early conversations focused on personal trust rather than finance.
Over time, the man shared stories of high returns from crypto investments. Police said these claims encouraged the woman to pursue similar profits. He then guided her to download an unnamed mobile application.
Soon after, she began transferring money to accounts linked to the app. Authorities said she sent her personal savings first. The scammer continued regular communication and reinforced the promise of high returns.
After about one month, the man advised her to invest larger amounts. Police said he urged her to avoid discussing the situation with relatives. At that stage, the woman began selling personal assets.
Assets Sold as Promises Escalated
The Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the victim sold three apartments. She also sold her car and a gold bar. In addition, she took out bank loans and borrowed money from friends. Officials said the scammer encouraged each step. He claimed the additional funds would unlock larger profits. He also promised to help the woman move abroad once the investments matured.
Despite repeated assurances, the relocation never occurred. Police said the scammer blamed delays on temporary financial issues. Meanwhile, he insisted she continue investing.
As her resources dwindled, the woman sold her remaining property. Investigators said she transferred the proceeds in several payments. Each transfer went to accounts connected to the fraudulent app.
Related: France Faces Surge in Crypto Kidnappings Amid Data Leak Fears
Contact Ends After Funds Run Out
Once the woman exhausted her funds, communication stopped. Police said the scammer deleted all message histories. He then blocked further contact and disappeared. Authorities confirmed that the total loss reached 28 million rubles. Investigators have opened a criminal case. They are now searching for the suspect and possible accomplices.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs said the case fits a broader pattern of crypto-related scams. These schemes often combine emotional manipulation with false investment platforms. Long-term engagement increases the financial damage.
Officials also referenced a similar case from the Kirov region. In that incident, a resident lost more than 2 million rubles. The victim believed claims of quick profits on a cryptocurrency exchange.
Law enforcement agencies continue to warn the public about such scams. They note that fraudsters often operate from outside Russia. Messaging apps remain a common entry point.
The Kursk case remains under active investigation. Authorities said they will pursue all leads connected to the financial transfers. The Ministry reiterated its focus on identifying organized fraud networks behind crypto investment scams.
