A new wave of rumors alleging the freezing of deposits has triggered panic among Russians, prompting them to withdraw funds from banks and invest in real estate. These rumors, which initially surfaced in anonymous Telegram channels in late 2024, continue to fuel speculation among experts and the general public.
Sergei Khotimsky, First Deputy Chairman of the Board and co-owner of Sovcombank, suggests that these rumors may be a strategic public relations move by major developers and real estate companies to boost demand for housing. According to Khotimsky, panic-driven purchases accounted for approximately 10% of the demand at the end of last year.
Lawyer Igor Kim emphasizes that the current economic situation does not warrant such drastic measures as freezing deposits. He believes that the rumors benefit those who profit from deposit withdrawals, as panicked citizens rush to purchase assets like apartments, cars, and household appliances.
Chairman of the Bank of Russia, Elvira Nabiullina, has repeatedly refuted the rumors, dismissing the idea as “nonsense.” She has also had to debunk other unfounded claims, such as the prohibition of cash currency.
The spread of misinformation has reached new levels, with manufacturers of fake news using neural networks to generate fake video messages from politicians, including foreign leaders. One such deepfake video featured the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, allegedly urging citizens to deposit money into specific banks with promises of high returns. However, the bank details were also fake, and the fraudsters stole the money.
Experts warn that any manipulation of economic news is a dangerous game that can undermine confidence in financial institutions and trigger market instability. Evgenia Istomina, Head of Communications and Public Relations of the Proud.365 expert group, notes that spreading rumors and misinformation is a classic technique for manipulating public opinion, often aimed at destabilizing situations or discrediting competitors.
To combat these rumors, experts recommend a multi-pronged approach, including legal protection against slander and disinformation, rapid and transparent responses from companies and government agencies, and fostering critical thinking among the public. Individuals should always verify the source of information, compare data from multiple independent sources, and be cautious of sensational headlines and panic-inducing forecasts.