An investigation is underway in the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Okrug into a scheme involving fraudulent marriages aimed at illegally obtaining social payments intended for the families of deceased soldiers who participated in the special military operation. The scheme involved deceiving men into military contracts and fictitious marriages.

Police launched an investigation after receiving a report from a resident of Nizhnevartovsk. The investigation revealed a conspiracy involving a local resident of Nizhnevartovsk and three other men along with other unidentified individuals.

The group is accused of fraudulently stealing at least 3.5 million rubles from three residents of the city. The scammers allegedly persuaded victims to sign military service contracts.

Under the guise of providing material assistance, the perpetrators convinced the victims to enter into fictitious marriages with women chosen by them and to grant these women general powers of attorney to manage their accounts. Following this, the attackers allegedly seized all payments owed to the SVO fighters.

Criminal cases of fraud have been initiated in connection with these three instances. Law enforcement officials are investigating claims of many more victims. Some victims have died, some are missing, and others are still participating in the SVO. Servicemen still in the SVO zone are preparing statements to the police.

Authorities are also examining information suggesting the involvement of a police officer in the fraudulent scheme. If the police officer’s involvement is confirmed, he will be dismissed and face legal consequences, and his superiors will face strict disciplinary measures.

Previous reports circulated on social media about a “black widow” from Nizhnevartovsk, who allegedly entered into sham marriages with single men, persuaded them to join the SVO, and then claimed their death benefits, sharing the proceeds with a police officer. This police officer allegedly provided her with information about potential victims.