Cybercrime currently poses a serious threat to economic and social development.

Scammers are constantly developing new methods to deceive people. In addition to internet calls via messaging apps like Viber, Telegram, or WhatsApp, they can also use landline and mobile phones, as well as internet video calls. They often pose as law enforcement officers, employees of mobile operators, government agencies, or banks, or, less commonly, as your relative or boss, a broker, or a cryptocurrency exchange trader.

Advertisements for supposed investment platforms are posted online to lure investors and steal their money. Accounts are intentionally created in the name of stores, where they advertise non-existent products at reduced prices. The most dangerous cyberscammers are those posing as brokers or traders on trading platforms and offering victims the opportunity to increase their income by investing a small amount. To withdraw the stolen funds, the scammers always use front men—money mules—who, for a fee, provide access to their bank accounts. Money mules are links in the criminal chain and are used to transfer funds through several banks to foreign accounts or into cryptocurrency. Money mules are liable under Article 222 of the Criminal Code, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison.

We would like to remind you that in our republic, the purchase and sale of cryptocurrency for cash (Belarusian rubles, foreign currency, or e-money) is permitted only through crypto exchanges (cryptocurrency exchange operators) that are residents of the High-Tech Park. Buying and selling cryptocurrency on foreign crypto exchanges or from individuals is illegal and prohibited. The procedure for cryptocurrency transactions is defined by Decree No. 367 of the President of the Republic of Belarus dated September 20, 2024. Violation of this decree is punishable by a fine and confiscation of all proceeds under Part 3 of Article 13.3 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Republic of Belarus.

To prevent this, you should:

  • Consider the reasons for the low price of the item, which differs from the price for the same item on the website, or be wary of why the store lists different prices on the website;
  • Carefully check the store’s information: contact the seller on a Belarusian number via a mobile phone, not online;
  • Use a separate card for online payments;
  • Avoid clicking links from unknown parties;
  • Check the address of the page where you enter your card details (for Belarusian organizations, the address bar should read: “website name”.BY/”website section”);
  • Enable (or check the connection) the free “3-D Secure” service from the bank in your card settings – this is additional protection from the bank, which prompts you to enter a code sent via SMS.

Be vigilant! This knowledge will help you save money!

More detailed information is available in the materials (https://disk.yandex.by/d/F03-laudj7830g) prepared by the Main Directorate for Combating Cybercrime of the Criminal Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.