The Cherkasy region police are warning citizens about a new type of online fraud that is actively spreading on the Telegram messenger. Criminals use so-called "circles" - short videos or audio recordings to mislead the victim's friends and acquaintances.
Scammers hack into users' accounts, download their real voice or video messages, and edit fake dialogues. In such fake "circles," the account owner himself appears to be asking for money. The scammers then send these recordings to the victim's contacts, hoping to get a quick transfer.
Law enforcement officers urge not to trust suspicious messages, even if they come from acquaintances. If you receive such "requests", you should verify the information: call the person or write to them in another messenger. It is also worth activating two-factor authentication in Telegram to reduce the risk of hacking.
Police emphasize: being vigilant and warning friends and loved ones about a new fraudulent scheme is the best way to protect yourself from losing money.
