Bogus Messages Purportedly From the Pension Fund
A fresh wave of deceptive messages disguised as official Pension Fund communications is spreading across social media. Scammers are promising Ukrainians payments ranging from 3,200 to 5,300 UAH, falsely claiming they are issued by presidential decree. The posts employ aggressive ultimatums and urgent demands, urging users to quickly select their region using buttons placed under the post—a classic bait tactic.
How the Scam Unfolds
Clicking the buttons triggers one of two scenarios. In the milder version, victims are redirected to obscure Telegram spam channels designed to artificially inflate audience numbers, or to a bot that relentlessly spams them, pressuring them to subscribe to other channels. The more dangerous variant leads to a phishing bot, where under the guise of identity verification needed to receive the funds, fraudsters attempt to steal passwords, phone numbers, or bank card CVV codes.
No legitimate payouts are ever processed through Telegram bots. Official disbursements are handled solely through the Diia app, Administrative Service Centers (TsNAPs), or the genuine Pension Fund of Ukraine portal. The state never blackmails citizens with threats of cancellation by the next day. Older generations are at greatest risk, as these messages specifically target pensioners. It is crucial to warn elderly parents and relatives, showing them exactly how this scheme looks.
This situation underscores the need for heightened caution as scams grow increasingly sophisticated. Citizens must stay informed about such threats and know how to respond to fake messages. Since pensioners are often targeted, society should join forces to protect the most vulnerable groups from fraud.
As scams targeting the elderly continue to rise, the recent case of an elderly victim who lost 6.7 million UAH to fraudsters impersonating officials highlights the urgent need for vigilance. These incidents reveal a troubling trend in which vulnerable individuals are increasingly exploited. For further insights into this alarming situation, you can read about another elderly victim's experience with deception.