Information from the JINR Security Service

Dear JINR employees,

On behalf of Alexander Alexandrovich Mikhan, Assistant Director of JINR for Security, we would like to provide you with the following information: Lately, there has been an increase in fraudulent activities involving phone calls and messages in messengers.

The general scheme of the scammers can be presented in several stages:

1. A JINR employee receives a phone call from someone claiming to be an authorized person from the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Russian Federation, Russian Academy of Sciences, or other relevant organizations. They ask the employee to look into a situation and participate in resolving a problem. To enhance the effect, the scammers address JINR employees by their first and middle names.

2. Subsequently, the employee receives a "confirming" message via SMS or in messengers (Telegram, WhatsApp, Viber, etc.) stating that they will receive a call. The message appears to be sent on behalf of JINR Directorate members. It states that the employee needs to get in touch with this authorized person, understand the situation, and provide feedback to the Directorate.

3. Afterwards, the employee receives a call from law enforcement agencies (FSB, Investigative Committee, etc.), informing them of violations in the banking system and accusing them of involvement in fraudulent activities, funding criminal groups, and similar charges. The script used by the scammers may vary, but their primary objective is always to instill fear and confusion in the victim, with the intention of obtaining their banking or personal information when the person is taken aback. Some employees have already received such calls and messages, and lately, an increasing number of similar cases have been reported. We would like to draw your attention to the fact that ALL these calls and messages are from scammers. We strongly recommend ending any suspicious calls and not reacting to doubtful messages. By engaging with these scammers, you put yourself at risk of becoming their victim. Please note that scammers may address you by your first and middle names.

4. The scammers may threaten the employee with legal consequences if they do not cooperate fully. They may ask for personal information, such as passport details, bank account information, or login credentials for JINR systems. They may also request financial transactions or transfers under the pretext of resolving the alleged issues.

5. It is important to remember that no legitimate organization or law enforcement agency would request personal information or financial transactions over the phone or through messaging apps. JINR has its own established protocols for handling such situations, and any official communication regarding security matters will be done through proper channels.

6. If you receive any suspicious calls or messages, do not provide any personal information or engage with the caller. Instead, immediately report the incident to the JINR Security Service and your supervisor. Provide them with as many details as possible, including the phone number, message content, and any other relevant information.

7. The JINR Security Service is actively working to combat these fraudulent activities and will provide necessary assistance and guidance to employees. Additionally, ongoing awareness campaigns and training sessions will be conducted to educate employees about these scams and how to protect themselves.

Remember, your personal and financial security is of utmost importance. Stay vigilant, verify the authenticity of any such calls or messages, and report any suspicious activity promptly.

If you have any questions or need further assistance, please don't hesitate to contact the JINR Security Service.

Stay safe and secure! Best regards,
JINR Security Service