T-Bank

Scammers Use *#62# USSD Command to Fabricate Surveillance Claims and Steal Victims' Funds

Fraudsters are exploiting the USSD command *#62# to convince targets that their phones are being tapped, then directing them to hand over cash to supposed couriers. The scheme begins with a familiar pretext such as a doorphone replacement or parcel delivery, after which the victim is tricked into revealing a verification code that the attackers themselves sent. A fake government official then claims the victim's account has been compromised and an extremist has been granted power of attorney. Victims are instructed to visit a counterfeit state website, enter *#62#, and interpret the displayed forwarding number as proof of interception. In reality the code only reveals call-forwarding settings for when the phone is unreachable, often showing a voicemail or missed-call service number. T-Bank warns that the displayed number has no connection to surveillance and urges anyone receiving such calls to hang up and contact the real organization through official channels.

T-Bank Masks New iOS Banking App as K8CHEN PRO to Bypass Sanctions

T-Bank has released a new version of its mobile banking application for iPhone users that appears in the App Store under the neutral name K8CHEN PRO. After installation and user authentication, the app automatically renames itself to 8PRO. The application is currently available for download in the Russian, Kazakh, Turkish, Georgian, and American App Store regions. T-Bank confirms the legitimacy of the release through a direct link published on its official website. The disguise is a direct response to repeated removals of official Russian financial apps from the App Store following the introduction of sanctions. Users are strongly advised to obtain the app exclusively via the official site link rather than searching the store, as fraudsters frequently clone banking applications to steal credentials.

Russia Simplifies State Support Access for National AI Model Developers

Russian authorities have decided to shorten and clarify the path to government support for developers of large AI models. Following the entry into force of the law on artificial intelligence development, obtaining the status of a national or sovereign model will become easier, with decisions verified through a single set of test tasks. The reference test is planned to be published in open access and updated regularly, allowing developers to know in advance the exact criteria the state will use to evaluate their neural networks. Companies such as MWS AI and T-Bank will be able to apply for the new statuses and associated support measures. Expertise will be entrusted to several organizations that have passed state verification, with the main criterion being Russian company control over the entire model lifecycle rather than the origin of every line of code. The use of foreign components under open licenses will be permitted if the developer can independently modify, develop, and maintain the solution. Bureaucratic procedures will be reduced, missing documents can be submitted after the application, and computing infrastructure must be located in Russia but can be rented. The first areas of mandatory application of domestic models will be education and public services, with key provisions of the law taking effect on September 1, 2026, and requirements for sovereign models on March 1, 2027.