Russia Warns of Rising Digital Ruble Fraud as CBDC Welfare Payments Loom

Fraud cases involving the digital ruble are rising in Russia, according to warnings from the Central Bank’s Rostov Oblast branch, as the government prepares to launch its first CBDC-based welfare payments in October 2025[1]. Scammers are exploiting citizens’ growing familiarity with the digital ruble by impersonating Central Bank staff and promoting fake investment programs on social media. These fraudsters use pirated digital ruble logos and images to deceive victims into sharing personal information and making deposits into fraudulent accounts[1]. The Central Bank emphasized that no official digital ruble investment program exists and urged citizens to remain cautious[1].

The government plans to use the digital ruble to distribute welfare payments, including pensions, as part of a pilot initiative starting in October 2025. This follows a legal amendment that allows the CBDC to be used for all federal budget-related payments, including salaries and scholarships. More details on the pilot are expected to be released by the end of August 2025[1]. While the Central Bank has reiterated that individuals will not be forced to use the digital ruble and can still receive payments via traditional means, concerns have emerged among senior citizens about being compelled to adopt the new currency[1].

The digital ruble’s full rollout is currently scheduled for September 2026, though the process has faced delays. The adoption will be phased in, with large banks and merchants required to support CBDC services by 2027, and smaller businesses given more time to comply, with the entire rollout expected to conclude by the end of 2028[1]. Analysts have closely monitored Russia’s CBDC development as part of its broader strategy to reduce reliance on foreign financial systems and bolster domestic monetary sovereignty.

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[1] https://cryptonews.com/news/cbdc-fraud-cases-on-rise-in-russia-as-moscow-prepares-to-pay-pensions-in-digital-rub/