Kommersant FM

Beeline Subscribers Targeted in Mass SIM Hijacking via Remote eSIM Issuance

Beeline customers have encountered widespread attempts to hijack mobile numbers through unauthorized remote issuance of eSIM cards. Attackers required only a single careless confirmation from the user to complete the takeover, bypassing traditional SMS or push notifications. The scheme presented a system-level prompt on the smartphone screen requesting login to the operator's personal account, after which a virtual SIM was issued and the physical card blocked. One victim was Kommersant FM editor-in-chief Vladislav Viktorov. Specialist Alexander Baulin suggested possible infrastructure compromise at the operator, though Beeline denied this and described the incident as a coordinated attack on remote SIM issuance mechanisms. The company stated it repelled the assault, with only isolated successful hijackings occurring, and is assisting affected users. Similar attacks have impacted the entire telecom market since the start of the year, enabling fraudsters to access banking apps, government services, and other accounts tied to the number.