Fraud in focus

Currently, crimes against property constitute a significant portion of the modern crime structure. One of the common types of crimes against property is fraud – the acquisition of another's property or the acquisition of the right to another's property through deception or abuse of trust.

It should not be assumed that only illiterate and uneducated people can fall "hook, line, and sinker" for fraudsters, as any honest citizen who trusts a word of honor, a promise, unreliable guarantees of obligation fulfillment, etc., can become a victim.

The Internet is very popular among fraudsters, where they seek out their victims who wish to sell, exchange, or purchase household appliances, computer equipment, phones, and other valuable property.

The incidence of this type of crime has significantly increased in the Republic of Belarus in recent years, and the Rossonsky district has not been an exception. Crimes of this nature were committed both in the past and in the current year.

For instance, a resident of the urban-type settlement of Rossony, not intending to fulfill his obligations beforehand, agreed on the social network "Vkontakte" with a certain citizen N, also residing in the Republic of Belarus, to exchange the latter's mobile phone for another phone and a cash payment via postal service. The fraudster gained the victim's trust, sent his details for the parcel, after which the victim sent him the mobile phone with all accessories. In return for the expensive phone sent to him, the offender was supposed to send his phone and a cash payment equivalent to 450 US dollars. Instead, he sent a hard drive of insignificant value that held no interest for the victim. The aforementioned parcel was sent via electronic cash on delivery, for which the victim had to pay an additional 56 (denominated) rubles, plus 1 ruble 68 kopecks for postal services. After paying the full amount and receiving the parcel, the victim opened it. The expected phone and money were not found in the parcel. The victim

understood that he had become a victim of a crime and immediately contacted the police at his place of residence. A criminal case was initiated against the resident of the urban-type settlement of Rossony who had defrauded him under Part 1 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code.

Based on the results of the consideration of the said criminal case by the court of the Rossonsky district, an indictment was issued in May 2016. The accused was sentenced to a fine of 40 basic units (840 rubles) and 60 hours of community service. This punishment was imposed taking into account the full compensation of damages to the victim, the presence of mitigating circumstances, in the absence of which Part 1 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code provides for responsibility up to 3 years of imprisonment.

In light of the foregoing, it is important to draw citizens' attention to the fact that a cash-on-delivery payment is not a reliable protection against fraudsters, as many believe. When a citizen goes to the post office, they pay for their parcel, but cannot know exactly what is inside it and in what condition. In this situation, they are buying a "pig in a poke". Even comparing the contents with the inventory list may not help much, as the post office will not be responsible for the quality or quantity of the parcel's contents, and all claims can only be made against the sender. Therefore, to avoid becoming a victim of fraudsters, it is advisable to refrain from purchases from dubious online stores, various mail-order sales, and exchanges via postal services.

Prosecutor of the Rossonsky District Vasily Parusov