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Russian Minister Proposes Blocking All SIM Cards Linked to Fraudsters Banned in MAX Messenger

The head of Russia's Ministry of Digital Development, Maksut Shadaev, has suggested extending account bans in the MAX messenger to a broader set of mobile restrictions. Under the proposal, operators would be required to disconnect not only the number used in a fraudulent account but also any other SIM cards belonging to the same individual. The measure would also introduce a cooling-off period preventing the person from registering new numbers after a ban. Officials aim to make it significantly harder for scammers to resume operations following enforcement actions. Key implementation details, including how ownership and involvement in fraud will be verified, remain unspecified in the initial statement. The initiative specifically targets fraud prevention and does not apply to every account suspension in the messenger.

AntiMalwareTranslated from Russian

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Russian authorities are considering stronger measures against mobile-enabled fraud following account bans in the MAX messenger. Maksut Shadaev, head of the Ministry of Digital Development (MinTsifry), proposed that blocking a fraudulent account should trigger disconnection of all SIM cards registered to the same owner.

According to TASS, Shadaev stated that simply disabling the messenger account is insufficient. He called for coordinated action with telecom operators to extend restrictions across all associated phone numbers. The plan also includes a cooling-off period during which the individual would be barred from obtaining new SIM cards, aiming to prevent quick return to fraudulent activity.

Details such as the exact duration of restrictions, the process for sharing data with operators, and appeal procedures have not yet been disclosed. A critical unresolved issue is how authorities will accurately identify the account owner and confirm involvement in fraud, especially when numbers may be used by third parties or have been compromised.

The minister emphasized that the proposed measures target fraudsters specifically and would not automatically apply to every violation of MAX messenger rules.

MinTsifryMAXTASSMaksut Shadaev
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