Fake Payouts from the UN and Ukrenergo: Scammers Promise 12,000 Hryvnias – Ukrainians Warned.

Fraudulent Scheme Targets Ukrainians with Fake UN and Ukrenergo Payments

According to Novyny.live: A scam promising non-existent financial aid from the United Nations and Ukrenergo is once again circulating across Ukraine. According to the Center for Countering Disinformation, the supposed compensation totals nearly 12,000 hryvnias. Fraudsters claim 8,800 hryvnias come from the UN and 3,100 hryvnias from Ukrenergo, using messaging apps to spread the false offers.

The Center for Countering Disinformation also warns that this scheme carries phishing risks. It is crucial to note that no international organization or Ukrenergo distributes payments through unofficial websites. Citizens in need of financial support can access legitimate aid from UNHCR at specially established data collection points in numerous Ukrainian cities. These locations include:

• Kyiv
• Chernihiv
• Sumy
• Poltava
• Kremenchuk
• Kropyvnytskyi
• Mykolaiv
• Odesa
• Kharkiv
• Dnipro
• Kryvyi Rih
• Zaporizhzhia

Scammers are also exploiting the Red Cross’s name by announcing fake payouts, further complicating the situation. As the Center for Countering Disinformation states:

“No international organization or Ukrenergo makes such payments through unofficial websites.”

People are urged to stay vigilant and verify information carefully to avoid falling into these traps.

This fraudulent activity is part of a broader surge in disinformation and financial scams during crises, such as the war in Ukraine. Awareness and proper fact-checking are essential for protection. Official bodies like UNHCR advise seeking help only through verified channels and designated data collection points to reduce the risk of fraud.