Elderly Minsk Resident Falls Victim to $8,000 Phone Scam

Minsk Woman Loses $8,000 in Phone Scam: Police Investigation Underway Minsk, Belarus – In a recent incident highlighting the ongoing threat of phone scams, an elderly woman in Minsk fell victim to a sophisticated scheme resulting in the loss of $8,000. The incident occurred earlier this week, according to police reports. The scammers employed a two-pronged approach, initially contacting the victim, posing as representatives from Beltelecom, the national telecommunications provider. They requested her personal information, under the pretense of updating her service contract. Days later, a second call followed, this time from someone claiming to be with the Investigative Committee. This caller informed her that she had been in contact with known fraudsters and that a search of her apartment would be conducted. To prevent the seizure of her life savings, the scammers instructed her to declare the money through the National Bank, not the tax service. The victim, trusting the fraudulent calls, handed over $7,000 in cash and approximately €1,000 to a courier. It was only after a visit from a concerned relative several days later that the scam was discovered. "The woman was completely unaware of the scam until her relative explained the situation," stated Alexander Kolysko, Senior Inspector of the Minsk City Executive Committee's Internal Affairs Directorate. "This incident underscores the importance of remaining vigilant against these types of schemes." Police are currently investigating the incident. They urge residents to exercise caution when receiving unsolicited calls, especially those requesting personal information or money transfers to unfamiliar accounts.