Surge in Account Rental Scams on Kremlin-Backed Messaging App Max
The Kremlin-supported messaging application Max is currently grappling with a notable increase in account rental scams. According to a report from the business newspaper Kommersant, fraudsters are enticing users with cash offers in exchange for temporary access to their profiles.
Launched in March by the tech company VK, Max was introduced as a domestic alternative to popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram. The app has been actively promoted by Russian authorities as a secure communication tool for educational institutions and government bodies. In a move to bolster its usage, Max is now mandated to be pre-installed on all smartphones and computers sold within Russia.
Kommersant’s findings reveal a staggering volume of fraudulent activity, with approximately 1,000 advertisements surfacing daily on darknet forums and Telegram channels. These ads offer users between and 0 for temporary access to their Max accounts. Scammers cleverly utilize legitimate accounts to evade spam filters, thereby deceiving victims into transferring funds or disclosing sensitive financial information.
Officials have indicated that around 9% of fraudulent calls in Russia now originate from the Max platform. Analysts have warned that this figure could potentially more than double by the close of 2025, raising concerns about the app’s security and user safety.
In response to these challenges, the developers of Max have asserted that account rental remains an isolated issue. They reported having blocked 67,000 suspicious accounts in August alone. Furthermore, Max has formed partnerships with Sberbank and Kaspersky Lab to enhance its security measures.
Recent legislative changes that came into effect on September 1 have introduced criminal penalties for the transfer of messenger, social media, and gaming accounts, as well as SIM cards. Offenders could face up to two years in prison for fraud-related activities.
The Interior Ministry has issued warnings that account rentals have emerged as one of the primary tactics exploited by scam call centers operating on the Max platform.
