Most prevalent online scams identified by Belarus' Internal Affairs Ministry
In a recent announcement, Pavel Gramuzov, the head of the main department for combating cybercrime at the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Belarus, reported a decrease in the number of overall cyber fraud cases this year. With approximately 4200 incidents compared to 5000 in the previous year, the decline suggests a positive trend in the fight against cybercrime. However, specific details about the reasons behind this decrease, such as increased vigilance or improved security measures, were not provided.
Despite the decrease in reported cases, the destination of the stolen money remains a mystery. Transfers were made to banks in various countries, including Slovakia, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Luxembourg, Israel, Chile, and most notably, Russia, where almost half of the stolen money (47.2%) was transferred.
The nature of cybercrime often makes it challenging to trace the money trail. Belarusian cybercriminals frequently employ complex methods to launder their ill-gotten gains. One common tactic involves the use of cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges with anonymization techniques to obscure the trail. Hackers often manipulate deposit address exchanges using malware or fraudulent browser extensions to redirect funds to their wallets.
Another method is the exploitation of loosely regulated or low-cost digital infrastructure hubs, often in Southeast Asia and Eastern Europe, as operational bases for scams. Money is routed through multiple jurisdictions to complicate tracking. Additionally, cybercriminals implement multi-layered asset transfer networks that automate deposit address authentication to minimize loss but also provide a means for rapid money movement and track cover-up.
While specific countries receiving stolen Belarusian cybercrime money were not listed, typical transit and laundering destinations include Southeast Asia (e.g., Thailand) and cryptographic exchanges globally. The offender in transnational cybercrime cases can be located anywhere in the world and remain anonymous online.
It is essential to note that the information presented here is based on general patterns related to cybercriminal money flows involving Belarusian actors and regions known for hosting such networks. For the most precise and current data on Belarusian cybercrime money flows, intelligence or financial crime reports from specialized agencies would be required.
In the second quarter of 2025, most of the stolen money was transferred abroad, according to Tatiana Shayuk. However, it is not clear whether the decrease in the number of cyber fraud cases is a trend that is expected to continue in the future.
Modern cybercrimes in Belarus are difficult to solve quickly due to their nature. One of the most popular forms of cybercrime in Belarus is the sale of non-existent goods in fake online stores. Cases of theft by modifying computer information remain at the same level. Despite these challenges, the decrease in cyber fraud cases offers a glimmer of hope in the ongoing battle against cybercrime.
- The battle against the money laundering associated with Belarusian cybercrime isn't easy, given that cybercriminals often resort to using cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges, anonymization techniques, and complex money transfer networks.
- Concerning the future of cybercrime cases, it remains uncertain if the observed decline in cyber fraud cases in the second quarter of 2025 will persist, as the number of such cases still remains a concern in the realm of general-news and crime-and-justice.
