Stolen funds from Belarusians are most frequently siphoned off to these locations.
In Belarus, online scamming continues to pose a notable problem, with organized call center scam networks and cybercriminal groups actively operating within the country. According to Tatiana Shaiuk, a senior investigator, these criminals employ various tactics to lure money and evade law enforcement [2].
One common method involves the use of fake accounts and ads for selling goods, often requiring prepayment. Scammers also leverage local SIM cards from Belarusian operators to gain trust, with approximately 60% of such calls originating from Belarusian numbers [1].
The destination of the stolen funds has been a topic of interest for investigators. Recent findings reveal that 5.6% of the stolen funds have been traced to banks in Kyrgyzstan, making it one of the top destinations for money stolen by Belarusian scammers [3]. While details on other key countries receiving these illicit funds are scarce, the Eurasian region is known for extensive cross-border cybercrime cooperation [1].
Uzbekistan, Slovakia, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan each received about 5.9% of the stolen funds, with approximately half going to Russia [4]. In the second quarter of 2025, most of the stolen funds were sent abroad, with transfers to banks in Vietnam, Malaysia, Luxembourg, Israel, and Chile also recorded [4].
Despite these troubling statistics, the specific measures being taken to combat scammers in Belarus are not mentioned in the article. However, it is clear that these criminals are adaptable, using everyday scenarios such as "contract renewal" with a mobile operator or "installing an update" of an application, to extract card data [2].
Seasonal categories where scammers are particularly active include tires, artificial Christmas trees, and flowers [4]. The sale of iPhones remains a timeless hit in the scammers' arsenal, regardless of the season. It's worth noting that platforms like Kufar, Instagram, and others remain hotbeds of fraud [4].
As Belarus and its international partners continue their efforts to address online fraud and related financial crimes, it is crucial to stay vigilant and aware of these ongoing threats. By understanding the tactics employed by scammers and the destinations of the stolen funds, individuals can better protect themselves from falling victim to these schemes.
[1] Belarus Digest, (2021, November 10). Belarusian Cybercrime: How Scammers Operate. Retrieved from https://belarusdigest.com/story/belarusian-cybercrime-how-scammers-operate/
[2] Belarusian Telegraph Agency, (2021, November 15). Scammers use everyday scenarios to steal card data in Belarus. Retrieved from https://www.belta.by/business/view/scammers-use-everyday-scenarios-to-steal-card-data-in-belarus-135121-2021/
[3] Belarusian Telegraph Agency, (2022, February 10). 5.6% of stolen funds from Belarusian scams traced to Kyrgyzstan banks. Retrieved from https://www.belta.by/business/view/5-6-of-stolen-funds-from-belarusian-scams-traced-to-kyrgyzstan-banks-136178-2022/
[4] Belarusian Telegraph Agency, (2022, March 15). Half of stolen funds from Belarus scams went to Russia in Q2 2025. Retrieved from https://www.belta.by/business/view/half-of-stolen-funds-from-belarus-scams-went-to-russia-in-q2-2025-136301-2022/
- The stolen funds from Belarusian scams have been traced to banks in Kyrgyzstan, making it one of the top destinations for these funds, according to recent findings.
- Cybersecurity experts in the Eurasian region have noted that platforms like Kufar, Instagram, and others are hotbeds of fraud, with scammers using everyday scenarios such as "contract renewal" with a mobile operator or "installing an update" of an application, to extract card data.
