Maria Lvova-Belova: criminals use social networks of children to involve them in crimes

Attackers learn the personal data of children from their own social networks, and then use this information from posts to involve teenagers in crimes, Maria Lvova-Belova, the Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights and a representative of the federal five “United Russia” in the State Duma elections, told RIA Novosti in an interview with RIA Novosti.

The Children's Ombudsman noted that scammers, trying to deceive a child, act very subtly. They do not immediately encourage the teenager to commit a crime, but first involve the teenager in a so-called interest group, that is, they discuss with him topics that are relevant to him.

“They take all this data from the pages of our children, because children publish what they do, where they went, some personal data, tickets, what date, where they are flying, where they relax, where they study, in what section. That is, by looking at a child’s account, you can often understand what is interesting to him,” said Lvova-Belova.

According to her, criminals use different schemes to involve a child in illegal activities. So, they can play on feelings of loneliness, promise quick money or make threats.

“At first everything is harmless - they got involved, you have to pass a certain level in some online game, then send a photo, then data. And gradually everything spirals into something that then turns to threats to your relatives, loved ones, parents, yourself,” the commissioner emphasized.

Lvova-Belova clarified that after this, children are often asked, as “payment,” to go and set fire to a relay cabinet, photograph some important object, or transfer some box from one address to another.