Russian Scam Gang Defrauds Elderly Israelis of Over One Million Shekels

A criminal gang known as the "Russian Scam" has defrauded elderly Israeli citizens, primarily of Russian descent, stealing money and jewelry valued at over one million shekels. One gang member, Oleg Pogosyan, recently recounted to police how they impersonated National Insurance and Tax Authority representatives to deceive their victims. The gang used personal data purchased on the dark web, obtained through hacking government institutions, to target seniors.

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 a staged phone call from a woman posing as the victim’s daughter. The gang convinced victims to hand over valuables by claiming they needed to insure their possessions due to recent missile attacks in Israeli cities.

Pogosyan and his accomplices sold the stolen jewelry to a dealer in Ramat Gan, netting over half a million shekels. Police investigator Sergeant Major Sergei Delgats described the gang’s actions as cynical, highlighting how they took heirloom jewelry with deep sentimental value from victims. Pogosyan admitted to some offenses, citing debts to the black market.

Last month, the prosecution filed charges against Pogosyan for fraud, impersonation, and aggravated deception, requesting his detention until the conclusion of legal proceedings. The investigation continues as authorities seek to dismantle the international fraud network based in Eastern Europe.