Fake Payouts on TikTok: Scammers Have Defrauded Ukrainians of Over 1 Million UAH
24 June 13:24
The National Police have uncovered an organized group of scammers who were offering Ukrainians the chance to allegedly receive financial aid from well-known charitable and international organizations. To find potential victims, the criminals used live streams on TikTok, social engineering, and fake websites. This was reported in a statement from the Ministry of Social Policy, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
The total amount of losses incurred by citizens exceeded 1 million hryvnias. Among the Ukrainians who were defrauded were servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
On behalf of which organizations did the scammers operate?
During live streams on TikTok, the participants in the scheme posed as representatives of well-known charitable foundations, government platforms, and international organizations.
In particular, they used the following names:
- The Olena Zelenska Foundation;
- the UNITED24 platform;
- the “Come Back Alive” Charitable Foundation;
- the Ukrainian Red Cross;
- UNICEF.
Posing as representatives of these organizations, the scammers promised citizens financial or humanitarian aid.
Using well-known names and logos helped the scammers build trust and convince people that their offers were legitimate.
How the scam worked on TikTok
The scammers organized live streams during which they talked about supposedly available payments. Viewers were asked to click on a link or take certain actions to register for assistance.
The links could lead to phishing sites that looked like the official websites of charitable or international organizations.
On the fake pages, Ukrainians were asked to enter:
- first and last name;
- phone number;
- bank card details;
- card expiration date;
- CVV code;
- other confidential information.
Once they obtained this information, the scammers could attempt to withdraw funds from accounts or use the personal data for further attacks.
The scammers created a network of fake websites
According to law enforcement, the group’s members did not limit themselves to individual messages or live streams. They operated a network of phishing sites that mimicked the pages of well-known organizations.
The group’s leaders coordinated the actions of their accomplices, assigned roles, monitored financial flows, and organized information campaigns on social media.
This approach allowed them to reach a large number of people and create the impression of a genuine financial aid program.
Ukrainians were defrauded of over 1 million hryvnias
The total amount of confirmed losses exceeded one million hryvnias.
The exact number of victims was not specified in the report. It is known that among those who believed the fake advertisements were members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The scammers exploited citizens’ difficult financial situations and their trust in charitable organizations. They pressured potential victims to act quickly by promising a limited registration period or an urgent payout.
What Information You Should Never Share with Strangers
Representatives of banks, government agencies, and charitable organizations should never ask for full account details to access a bank account.
Never disclose the following to anyone:
- Your bank card’s PIN;
- the CVV or CVC code on the back of your card;
- your mobile banking password;
- one-time codes from SMS messages;
- confirmation codes for banking transactions;
- email username and password;
- secret words and answers for account recovery.
An IBAN-formatted account number is usually sufficient for a legitimate deposit. You should never share your banking app login credentials or confirm unfamiliar transactions.
Signs of a fake payment
An offer of financial assistance may be a scam if the person:
- is pressured to submit an application;
- are asked to visit an unfamiliar website;
- is forced to enter all their card details;
- are asked to provide a code from an SMS;
- demand a fee to receive the money;
- promise a guaranteed payout without explaining the terms;
- register you via private messages on social media;
- ask you to install a third-party app;
- persuade you to confirm a banking transaction.
Messages stating that the aid is available for only a few minutes or only to the first registered users are particularly suspicious.
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Are official payments processed through TikTok?
Charitable and international organizations may use social media to inform the public. However, you should only register for aid through the official channels listed on the organization’s verified pages.
Don’t assume a livestream is genuine just because it features a logo, the name of a well-known foundation, or a large number of viewers.
Scammers may copy page designs, use other people’s videos, create accounts with similar names, and post fake positive comments.
How to Verify Information About Financial Aid
Before filling out an application, you should find the organization’s official website on your own. Do not access the site solely through a link in an ad, comment, or private message.
Be sure to check:
- the exact website address;
- whether the announcement is posted on the official page;
- the eligibility requirements for the program;
- the categories of recipients;
- the organization’s contact information;
- the start and end dates for registration.
If there is no information about the payment on the official website, do not provide any personal or banking information.
What to do if you’ve already provided your card details
If you have entered your card details on a suspicious website or shared them with a third party, you must take the following steps as soon as possible:
- Block the card through the bank’s app or by calling the bank’s hotline.
- Notify the bank of the possible fraud.
- Change your mobile banking and email passwords.
- Check your account’s recent transactions.
- Save any links, screenshots, correspondence, and phone numbers.
- File a report with the cyber police or the National Police.
If you notice an unfamiliar transaction on your account, don’t delay in contacting the bank. Quickly blocking your payment methods can reduce the risk of further funds being withdrawn.
How to Protect Yourself from Payment Fraud
The golden rule is: never share confidential banking information, even if the person you’re speaking with claims to be an employee of a well-known foundation, bank, or government agency.
Information about social and humanitarian programs should only be verified on official websites. For additional protection, set separate limits on online payments and enable transaction notifications.
Also, do not share suspicious posts with friends and family without verifying them first. Forwarding a fake offer can help scammers find new victims.
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