Scammers in Russia Use Retail Purchases to Threaten Customers with Criminal Charges

Dragon Media News Desk

Scammers in Russia have begun targeting customers of Auchan and Lemana Pro by falsely accusing them of financing the Ukrainian Armed Forces through purchases made at the retail chains.

According to the Russian news agency TASS, Masharov, a member of Russia’s Public Chamber, reported that fraudsters are impersonating law enforcement officers and contacting customers with claims that criminal proceedings have been initiated against them.

The scammers allege that purchases at Auchan or Lemana Pro amount to financial support for the Ukrainian military. They then use the threat of criminal prosecution to pressure their targets into handing over money.

The scheme has emerged following the transfer of assets belonging to the foreign companies into the temporary management of L.E.V. Management. Fraudsters appear to be exploiting confusion surrounding the companies’ management arrangements to make their threats seem credible.

The reported scheme does not establish that customers face criminal liability merely for shopping at either retailer. The allegations of criminal proceedings are part of the scammers’ attempts to intimidate victims and obtain money.