Scammers Impersonate Gas Workers to Pressure Russians into Overpriced Repairs Before September 1 Deadline
Fraudsters have begun visiting apartments and private homes across Russia, impersonating employees of gas services or management companies. They inform residents about alleged critical violations in equipment operation and demand immediate payment for repairs, according to reports from the Moshelovka platform of the Narodny Front.
The scammers may arrive in person or leave an official-looking notice in the mailbox. According to their story, specialists discovered a gas leak, faulty valve, problematic meter, or dangerous chimney during an August inspection. They then create a sense of urgency, warning that gas will be shut off right before September 1 without immediate repairs.
Under this pressure, residents are often persuaded to replace equipment at prices five to ten times higher than market rates. In another variant of the scheme, the fraudsters collect prepayments for urgent work and then disappear with the funds.
Experts recommend checking planned maintenance schedules in advance on the management company website or notice board. When a technician arrives, residents should request official identification and independently confirm the work by calling the management company or emergency dispatch service. Purchasing equipment on site or transferring payment to an individual’s bank card is strongly discouraged.
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