Since the beginning of the year, cybercriminals have defrauded residents of the Vitebsk region of more than Br600,000.

Cybercriminals have defrauded residents of the Vitebsk region of more than Br600,000 since the beginning of the year, the Internal Affairs Directorate of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee reported.

"Using various methods, cybercriminals have stolen more than Br600,000 from residents of the northern region. The 'K' Directorate urges citizens not to fall for the tricks of strangers and not to perform any actions at their requests and insistent recommendations. If the issue concerns banking services, the conversation should be interrupted and you should contact the relevant financial institution directly," the department noted.

Recently, a 50-year-old resident of Gorodok fell for the scammers' tricks. A fake manager from one of the banks called the man and stated that a loan of Br15,000 had been approved in the man's name. When the recipient of the message replied that he was served by another bank, he was offered to cancel the loan agreement. And this had to be done by applying for the same loan. Subsequently, a fake manager from the National Bank joined the negotiations. The interlocutor confirmed the information and assured that he would ensure the client's financial security. Following the recommendations, the man installed the necessary mobile applications on his smartphone and transferred the registration codes to the callers.

The next day, the story repeated itself, and the man was again asked to perform the same actions. He went to a bank in Vitebsk, where an employee told him that this is exactly how criminals operate.

"BELTA"