Putin and his companions come under fire. Russian politicians targeted in blackmail scheme
Political figures in Russia have begun to face unprecedented attacks by blackmailers using phones and computers. This malfeasance sends various messages and calls to members of the Duma, defeating them in their own game if they fall for the trap. Even Margarita Simonjan, a renowned propagandist, has confessed to paying selected individuals in exchange for keeping negative content about her undisclosed.
1:03 PM EST, November 19, 2023
Dmitrij Gusiew, a sitting member of the Russian State Duma, was among those targeted by the extortionists. The lawmaker received a seemingly-official message purportedly sent by the head of the commission he sits on.
Putin and his companions grappling with a new threat: Blackmail of Russian politicians
Last Thursday, Gusiew released screenshots on Telegram of messages reportedly penned by Oleg Morozov, who heads the control commission. Morozov, who has been sanctioned by Western governments, recently speculated on Russian state television about potential Russian attacks on Poland and the United Kingdom.
"They begin the conversation asking about certain people, then offer solutions to some problem or offer assistance. My colleagues, don't be fooled," Gusiew cautioned on Telegram.
As a member of the Just Russia party, Gusiew publically opposes Vladimir Putin, but covertly backs the Moscow dictator's actions. The politician disclosed on Telegram that he agreed to a face-to-face meeting after receiving the sham messages allegedly from Morozov.
"As expected, no one showed up at the designated location," he stated in a subsequent interview without disclosing the identity of the fraudster. The only known fact is that the case has been passed on to the Russian prosecutor's office.
Meanwhile, Morozov urged parliamentarians not to respond to any peculiar requests and appeals allegedly from him. "As of late, I haven't made any requests and only responded to those who contacted me directly on Telegram. Any other correspondence is a scam," asserted the United Russia party member, which is also Vladimir Putin's party.
Vasily Piskarev, chairman of the Duma's Security Committee, verified that fraudsters and blackmailers have also been sending false messages using his identity. "My friends, if you receive a message from me asking you to return a call, transfer money or anything similar, please ignore it. It's a scam," warned Piskarev on Telegram.
Margarita Simonjan, the chief editor of RT and Russia's chief media propagandist, averred that blackmail and fraud are prevalent in Russia. She believes that "everyone is aware." Simonjan admitted on Telegram to paying a monthly fee to prevent derogatory comments and reports about her from being published in the media.
Simonjan noted that she pays the blackmailers "300 a month," but did not disclose the currency unit.
