Russian Scam Gang Defrauds Elderly Israelis of Over One Million Shekels

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.