Olena-Kristina Lebed reported on a new fraud scheme

Due to the full-scale war, many Ukrainians were forced to change their place of residence. Renting apartments has become more relevant than ever. But despite our common misfortune, scammers are making money on this as well. They are cheating through a new scheme codenamed “Renting an apartment for an Armed Forces soldier.” Olena-Kristina Lebed, the host of the New Channel project “Scammers in the Networks,” spoke about it in detail.

“The idea is this: the mother of an Armed Forces soldier rents out her son’s apartment while he is at war. Where does she rent it? Of course, on all the classifieds sites!” the TV presenter says. “Why do scammers choose this kind of legend? It inspires admiration, awe, trust and boundless respect.

Scammers in the networks leading

So, a mother rents out a nice, spacious, modern, but currently unoccupied apartment to her son in Kyiv. The time is such that this housing can save many people who are homeless!

“But! It’s important that the mother sets a low price that is very tempting for the victim,” says Olena-Kristina Lebed. “She explains that who else but her understands how difficult it is for everyone now, how important it is to support each other, and not to make money off of each other. On the phone, she promises the victims not to disturb them while they are living there, “sweetly singing” about how much she likes these residents in absentia. That she would no longer answer the phone and would leave the apartment for them. Her only request is to send her some money for her travel expenses. After all, she will have to travel from another city to show the apartment.”

He usually asks for 500 hryvnias. And, of course, victims fascinated by the mother of an Armed Forces soldier who want to get a cheap but cool apartment do not hesitate to send money to the card.

“The scammer then does not block the victim as usual, but calls back! She thanks me for 500 hryvnias and asks me to send her the resident’s passport details on Viber. “So that when she arrives, the notary can draw up an official lease agreement,” says the TV presenter. – The victim is happy! It’s cheap, spacious, and just the perfect apartment in a good neighborhood. With such a sweet and honest hostess. Of course, he sends the scammer his passport details. And half an hour later, another call: “So that you don’t get nervous, I decided to draw up a contract right away and send you a screen shot of it. I’m at the notary’s office right now, so please send me a thousand hryvnias for his work. Then I’ll come to you with the keys to the apartment and the official contract!” Who would suspect the mother of an Armed Forces soldier? Who, moreover, wants everything to be official and fair! The victim, in addition to the 500 already sent, throws in another 1000 hryvnias! Total: a flight for 1500 UAH. Just for “telling stories on the phone”…

Photo: press service