Russian teen blogger charged with fraud over fake giveaway scam

A 16-year-old blogger in Russia faces fraud charges after allegedly scamming a 14-year-old follower in a fake giveaway. The victim sent 12,000 rubles, believing she would win a prize. Authorities have now launched a criminal investigation into the incident.

The scheme began when the teenager, posing as a social media influencer, announced a giveaway. The 14-year-old victim transferred the money to an account controlled by the suspect. Instead of receiving a prize, the funds disappeared.

Investigators found that the scammer had opened a bank card under her younger brother's name. She then declared him the fake winner without his knowledge. The money was quickly moved to a friend's account and spent. The suspect's mother has since reimbursed the victim's family for the full amount. However, she also received an administrative citation for failing to meet parental responsibilities. A criminal case under fraud charges (Part 2, Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code) has now been opened against the 16-year-old. While exact figures for fake giveaway scams in Russia remain unpublished, authorities report thousands of online fraud cases each year. The Ministry of Internal Affairs does not release detailed breakdowns for such schemes.

The case highlights the risks of online giveaways and the involvement of minors in financial fraud. The victim's money has been returned, but the suspect now faces legal consequences. Russian authorities continue to monitor similar scams across social media platforms.