Russia's fake medical websites and apps surge in 2025 scams

Fraudulent medical websites and rogue mobile apps are rising across Russia. Scammers are exploiting public trust in healthcare to steal personal data and money. These schemes often involve fake clinics, attractive offers, and impersonation tactics. In the summer of 2025, authorities uncovered 143 counterfeit sites posing as online clinics. These platforms mimic well-known services, offering unrealistically low drug prices to lure victims. They also use targeted ads and fake reviews to appear legitimate.

Scammers employ multiple methods to deceive people. Some offer free doctor consultations or attractive deals to trick users into entering card details. Others impersonate clinic staff in phone scams, convincing victims to share SMS verification codes. These codes are then used to access Gosuslugi accounts.

Rogue mobile apps present another growing threat. Disguised as clinic services, government portals, or health-tracking tools, they harvest personal data, infiltrate medical records, and compromise banking apps. Stolen information is often weaponised for further attacks. The surge in fraudulent medical platforms highlights the risks of sharing sensitive data online. Authorities continue to investigate these schemes, but the public is urged to verify the legitimacy of healthcare services before engaging. The stolen data and codes give scammers access to critical accounts and financial information.