DISINFO: Belarusian opposition is implicated in digital fraud with the help of Western security bodies
SUMMARY
The Belarusian opposition have turned into cyber crooks to take the money off people. They do it for their own enrichment, for financing an upcoming presidential campaign, and to destabilise the situation in Belarus with the help of Ukrainian nationalists. One method is phone calls whereby crooks are presented as state officials who allegedly wish to transfer payments. This way they try to steal credit bank data. Therefore, the Belarusian opposition destroys the image of the state authorities and steal’s money from people. Another method of stealing money is through phising sites which allegedly sell coronavirus tests. Customers enter their credit bank data, but do not receive any tests. They also send emails on behalf of the WHO from abroad, mostly from Poland and Lithuania. By clicking on a link which allegedly presents data on the current situation in Belarus, a virus blocks the device and demands money for unblocking it. Such viruses, which are elaborated by Western special bodies, are designed for opposition websites. They can also be embedded into Telegram channels about coronavirus in Belarus. Finally, fake bank accounts collecting money to assist hospitals with medical equipment and disinfectant are promoted.
RESPONSE
This article groundlessly accuses the Belarusian democratic opposition of digital fraud, helped by Western security bodies, which fits the pro-Kremlin narrative about the West's anti-Belarusian activities. There was no news about phishing websites selling coronavirus tests in Belarus. However, coronavirus-related phishing emails were reported in Belarus, but no official statements or proof implicating the Belarusian opposition in these activities were made. See earlier disinformation cases alleging that Western organisations and the Belarusian democratic opposition benefit from hoax terrorist threats and that civic activists and independent journalists of Belarus make kill lists for Western security bodies.