Crimea Fuel Scammers Duped Buyers into Funding Ukrainian Armed Forces

Following a QR code system failure at Crimean gas stations, scammers sold fake codes to residents, unknowingly redirecting fuel payments to fund pickup trucks for the Ukrainian military.

Fake QR Codes on the Crimean Peninsula

Information about the fraudulent codes was reported by the UNIAN news agency. According to an article published on their Telegram channel, after a failure in the QR code system used for refueling at gas stations, “good people” began selling fake codes to residents of Crimea, which allegedly allowed them to obtain gasoline while bypassing restrictions.

Individuals who paid for access actually transferred funds to a fundraising campaign aimed at purchasing pickup trucks for the 110th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Extension of Russia’s Fuel Export Ban

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced on Saturday, July 25, that the gasoline export ban will be extended until the end of the year, as reported by Reuters.

The ban was initially announced in Russia at the beginning of April and was supposed to remain in effect until the end of July. Starting in June, the Russian government prohibited aviation fuel exports through November 30. In early July, Novak also announced a ban on diesel exports, with restrictions introduced amid fuel shortages and sharp price spikes at gas stations in several Russian regions.

Novak told Russian media that the situation is improving but remains “quite difficult” in certain regions, especially in Siberia. He added that the diesel export ban will be lifted once the market situation stabilizes, assuring that Kazakhstan can supply its surplus diesel to Russia if necessary, according to Reuters citing local media.

Fuel Crisis Driven by Ukrainian Drone Attacks

A fuel crisis is underway in Russia as a result of continuous long- and medium-range Ukrainian drone strikes on refineries and other oil and energy infrastructure facilities. Since March, Kyiv has intensified its airstrike campaign, causing fuel shortages across Russia and prompting regional authorities to introduce temporary per-person fuel sales limits.

As a result of Ukrainian military actions, supply lines to Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014, have also been significantly disrupted.