World Cup: Authorities warn visitors against Scammers

Soccer fans and other tourists visiting Russia for the 2018 World Cup, have been told to look out for fake Automated Teller Machines and avoid them or risk losing their money to scammers who are hoping to record a boom within the period of the Mundial.

A Russian law enforcement official according to Kommersant business daily (Newspaper published in Russia mostly devoted to politics and business) said fake ATM machines installed in the 11 World Cup cities in Russia will pose a “significant problem” for visitors.

“Our residents usually use the same ATM and are unlikely to try to withdraw money from a suspicious and unfamiliar device.

Newcomers, however, can find it difficult to tell the difference between a fake ATM from a real one,” the official was cited as saying by Kommersant.

Scammers are reportedly buying retired ATM machines for up to 100,000 rubles ($1,700) or N612, 000 and refitting them to target tourists, the source said.

According to digital security consultant Andrei Gayko, fraudulent ATMs can be made to “mimic a popular bank’s machine.”

“If it doesn’t arouse suspicion from anyone, it can continue to work for a very long time,” he said.

The authorities are however not folding their hands on the issue as the Russian Central Bank has issued a set of recommendations ahead of the competition, urging card owners to avoid “malfunctioning” ATMs, among other suggestions.

Other banks are also said to have learned how to prevent ATM Skimming which involves stealing information from customer’s bank cards with intent to producing fake cards.

Based on ticket sales and requests, at least 1.5 million foreign tourists are expected to visit Russia during the World Cup between June 14 and July 15.

Thirty two countries including five African countries, Nigeria, Egypt, Senegal, Morocco and Tunisia successfully jumped the hurdles posed by other contenders to qualify for the World cup in Russia.

Only eight countries Brazil, Germany, Italy, Argentina, Uruguay, France, England and Spain have won the World cup with Brazil having the highest record of wins, five times.