In Ukraine, a technologically complex scheme of card fraud is spreading: people are convinced to touch their bank card to their own smartphone, after which criminals can remotely use it for transactions. Earlier, Inkorr reported on the main types of card fraud. This is reported by RBK-Ukraine.
How NFC Relay Fraud Works in Ukraine in 2026
According to the head of the fraud management department at PrivatBank, Natalia Figol, NFC Relay attacks have become one of the most technically complex fraudulent schemes recorded by the bank in 2026.
First, criminals contact a person under the pretext of updating the banking app or checking security. They are offered to install third-party software from a messenger or unknown website, and then touch their physical card to the smartphone and enter their PIN code.
Malicious software allows payment data to be transmitted to fraudsters. They can use this data for remote cash withdrawals at ATMs or for making purchases. Earlier, Inkorr wrote about losses from card fraud, which continue to increase.
How to Protect Your Card from NFC Fraudsters in 2026
PrivatBank emphasizes that a real bank employee will never ask to install files obtained through messengers, touch the card to the phone for "scanning," or enter a PIN code following such instructions.
«The bank never asks to download third-party files from messengers or to touch the card to the smartphone for "protection checks" or "scanning"», - emphasized Natalia Figol.
Banking apps should only be installed from the App Store or Google Play. It is particularly dangerous to follow the instructions of strangers asking to download a program, touch the card to the smartphone, and enter a PIN code.
The scale of the problem is demonstrated by NBU statistics. In 2025, the number of illegal transactions with payment cards decreased by 5% to 256,000. However, the total amount of losses increased by 24% to 1.4 billion UAH, and the average loss per transaction rose by 30% to 5536 UAH.
These figures show a change in the tactics of fraudsters: there are fewer transactions, but each successful attack results in greater losses. NFC Relay fits this trend due to a combination of technology and social engineering. Earlier, Inkorr also published instructions on protecting against fraudsters.