Scammers target students, parents and teachers ahead of September 1 with fake school offers

Scammers have stepped up efforts to deceive students, parents and teachers in Russia ahead of the September 1 school start, RuStore and cybersecurity provider F6 reported.

Fraudsters are creating fake online shops that sell school uniforms, stationery, textbooks and flowers, offering goods at below-market prices. Victims are asked to pay an advance or enter bank card details; once provided, the information is used to access the victims’ accounts, RuStore and F6 said.

In some cases victims are prompted to download Android apps, such as order trackers. Instead of the promised service, the app may install a trojan that intercepts SMS codes, bank card data and account credentials. The stolen information can give criminals remote control over devices, accounts or bank accounts, the companies warned.

Another common scheme involves ads for non-existent social benefits for families with children. Victims are told they must pay a fee or subscribe to fraudulent Telegram channels and bots to receive the money.

Scammers also pose as tutors, taking advance payments without providing any lessons.

Fake apps are disguised as digital school diaries

Criminals are spreading counterfeit apps aimed at students and parents. They distribute fake digital diaries and scheduling or grade services through parent chat groups, presenting them as new versions of official apps.

After victims log in, fraudsters gain access to the real diary’s login and password. Similar copies target banking apps and payment services, supposedly to pay for clubs, sections and school fees.

Accounts of state services are being targeted

Students and pupils receive links to websites that mimic digital diaries and official university portals. Victims are asked to enter a login, password and a six-digit confirmation code from their state services personal account; once entered, the account can fall under the control of scammers.

Children are also sent messages about school assembly preparations with links to supposed class lists. Another scheme involves gaming chats where pupils are promised rare items or in-game currency in exchange for an SMS code or a screenshot of a parent’s phone screen.

Teachers receive phishing links for video calls

Teachers and tutors are being targeted with fake video-call invitations. Scammers pose as potential clients, send links to counterfeit Zoom pages and ask victims to sign in via Google.

After entering their credentials, victims are asked for a code that allows criminals to take over the victim’s Telegram account.

Reported by RB.ru.