MTS analyzed the activity of its 'Zashchitnik' digital protection service in Dagestan during the summer of 2026. The data shows that scammers have shifted their tactics, moving away from fake investment schemes toward telemarketing and impersonation of bank representatives.
Telemarketing and advertising calls accounted for 12% of all fraudulent incoming calls in the region this summer. Impersonation of bank employees followed with 11%, while fake legal services took 10%. Previously dominant investment fraud dropped to 10% of total calls, falling to fifth place.
During the summer of 2026, MTS blocked over 6 million spam and fraudulent calls for users in Dagestan. Due to this high activity, the region ranked 10th in Russia for the number of new digital protection service activations.
According to Karema Izieva, director of MTS in Dagestan, August was the peak month for unwanted calls, as scammers targeted users during vacation periods. The service also filters standard spam, including bank advertisements, surveys, and debt collector calls.
