Scammer 'Double Agent' Swindles Businessman and Horse Seller in Orsk

Police in Orsk were contacted by a 38-year-old entrepreneur from Bashkortostan who reported losing a large sum of money — 5,700,000 rubles (about $57,000 at current rates). The scammer«s scheme was very complex. Here»s how the «double agent» operated.

First, the victim found an online ad for the sale of 75 horses in Orsk. He called the number in the ad and was answered by a man who introduced himself as the owner of the livestock. The man stated that to purchase the herd, a prepayment of 100,000 rubles (about $1,000 at current rates) was required, which the businessman paid.

As it turned out, the same person had also contacted a real horse breeder in Orsk, and on behalf of the calling entrepreneur, arranged the deal and even ... paid the same advance — 100,000 rubles (about $1,000 at current rates). He also said that he was supposedly in Moscow and would send a «trusted person» — payment would be in cash immediately after loading. Meanwhile, the scammer told the Bashkir entrepreneur that payment should be made by transfer, and that the horses would be released by his «manager.»

When the horses were being loaded, the businessman«s accountant transferred 5.7 million rubles (about $57,000 at current rates) to the details provided by the fraudster in several transactions. However, they could not take the animals because the real seller was waiting for cash payment! When the horse owner and the potential buyer realized that they had been tricked by a »double agent,« they contacted the police. A criminal case has been initiated for fraud (Part 4 of Article 159 of the Russian Criminal Code).