Due to a prostitute, a Penza man transferred over 820,000 rubles to scammers

The guy tried to arrange a meeting through the internet.

, and Administrator

2025 December 24 . 7:34 AM

1 min read

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Due to a prostitute, a Penza man transferred over 820,000 rubles to scammers

An 18-year-old man from Russia’s Penza region has lost over 820,000 rubles (around $9,000) in an online scam. The incident follows a separate high-profile fraud case in the same region, where two prominent figures face charges for embezzling state funds through fake contracts and shell companies.

The victim, a resident of Serdobsky District, attempted to order intimate services online. The scammer first demanded an 8,000-ruble advance payment. After receiving the money, the fraudster claimed an additional 49,000 rubles was needed to ensure the woman’s safety.

Before realising the deception, the victim transferred a total of roughly 765,000 rubles. Authorities have since opened a criminal case under Part 3 of Article 159 of Russia’s Criminal Code, classifying the offence as large-scale fraud. This case emerges alongside another major fraud investigation in Penza. Former Deputy Governor Sergey Bardin and businessman Viktor Mikhailov were charged in 2024 for organising a scheme that siphoned state funds through fake contracts and shell companies.

The 18-year-old’s losses now exceed 820,000 rubles. The criminal investigation continues under fraud laws. Meanwhile, the separate embezzlement case involving Bardin and Mikhailov remains under judicial review.