Russian Scam Gang Defrauds Elderly Israelis of Over One Million Shekels
Translated & summarized from Mako by baba
A gang called the "Russian Scam" defrauded elderly Israelis of Russian origin, stealing over one million shekels in cash and jewelry by impersonating government officials and using stolen data from the dark web. Oleg Pogosyan, a gang member, confessed to some crimes during police questioning. The stolen valuables were sold for hundreds of thousands of shekels, and the prosecution has charged Pogosyan and requested extended detention.
The story in 6 lines · by baba
- A gang defrauded elderly Israelis of Russian descent, stealing over one million shekels.
- Gang members impersonated National Insurance and Tax Authority officials using dark web data.
- Oleg Pogosyan admitted partial guilt and described the scam in police reconstructions.
- Victims were convinced to hand over cash and jewelry by false insurance claims.
- Stolen valuables were sold to a Ramat Gan dealer for over half a million shekels.
- Prosecution charged Pogosyan with fraud and requested his detention until trial.
A criminal gang known as the "Russian Scam" has defrauded elderly Israeli citizens of Russian descent, stealing money and jewelry valued at over one million shekels. One gang member, Oleg Pogosyan, recently recounted to police how they deceived seniors by impersonating National Insurance Institute and Tax Authority representatives, using personal data obtained from the dark web. The gang purchased stolen personal details, including ID numbers, phone numbers, and addresses, from hackers who breached government institutions.
Security footage shows Pogosyan visiting an elderly woman’s home, presenting himself as a National Insurance courier, and receiving 82,000 shekels in cash after she was primed by a phone call from a Russian-speaking accomplice. The gang convinced victims to hand over valuables by falsely claiming they needed to insure their possessions due to missile attacks in various Israeli cities. The stolen jewelry, including gold and diamonds, was sold to a dealer in Ramat Gan, netting the gang over half a million shekels.
Police investigator Sergeant Major Sergei Delgats described the gang’s actions as cynical, emphasizing the emotional and historical value of the stolen heirlooms, some kept for generations. Pogosyan admitted to some of the crimes, claiming he owed money to the black market. Last month, the prosecution filed charges against him for fraud, impersonation, and aggravated deception, requesting his detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings.
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