Beware of Fraudulent Chatbots
In Ukraine, there is a growing presence of fake chatbots impersonating volunteer and government services. The motives of these fraudsters can range from gathering critical information to simply collecting personal data or stealing your money.
Identifying and blocking these fake resources is not straightforward. Cyberpolice are working on it, but new cloned chatbots continuously emerge in their place.
For instance, the chatbot "ChatFront," which allows users to report Russian military activity, has several clones. Another bot, "Ticket Guide," also has its fake versions. Some of these bots may appear inactive, leading users to distrust real government services in critical times. All these bots are uncontrolled, and their creators can manipulate mechanisms to steal your funds.
How to identify a fake bot?
Here are some signs of fraudulent bots:
- They closely resemble the originals but have an extra letter in the name or link.
- They lack or have a counterfeit blue verification badge.
- They respond in Russian or have a Russian menu.
- They may appear inactive, creating the impression that government services are unreliable.
To check a bot, use the Botchecker on the Dovidka.info website.
What is Botchecker?
This is a platform for verifying Ukrainian chatbots, developed by experts in strategic communications alongside cyberpolice.
“In three years of Botchecker’s operation, 100,000 users have utilized it. We created it in 2022 when there was a need for rapid communication with citizens. Malicious actors quickly adapted and began creating fake versions. Botchecker helps identify these fakes and protects people from fraud. It is crucial to remain vigilant, as the scale of this issue is expanding,” says Mykola Balaban, Deputy Head of the Center for Strategic Communications.
How to use Botchecker?
- Enter the name or link of the chatbot in the search field.
- Get information about its authenticity and developer.
- If the bot is not found, report it to the cyberpolice via the @stopdrugsbot chatbot on Telegram.
Be cautious! Do not give the enemy a chance to deceive you or gain access to your data!
