Fraud suspect detained in Ryazan for swindling million rubles

A scammer called an 83-year-old pensioner and offered to replace his utility meters for free. Afterwards, the Ryazan resident was called by someone posing as a law enforcement officer who told him his money was «being stolen».

To prevent this, the victim was told to put his money into a «safe account» by handing all his savings to a courier.

The pensioner withdrew 1.2 million rubles (about $13,000 at current rates) from his account and, according to investigators, gave it to a courier who was later detained by police. The suspect turned out to be a 24-year-old resident of the Moscow region.

While the case is under investigation, the Moscow District Court of Ryazan has ordered the young man remanded in custody, the regional prosecutor«s office reported.