OSAC - Russia 2008 Crime & Safety Report: Moscow, Yekaterinburg and Vladivostok

Crime continues to be a problem and cause for concern in Russia. The Regional Security Officer (RSO) receives numerous criminal incident reports from private and official Americans on a routine basis. These incidents include, but are not limited to: theft, vandalism, robbery, physical assaults, racial violence, and murder. Generally speaking, Westerners in Russia are perceived to be affluent and often targeted by criminal elements. During the past year, the number of reported incidents of criminal acts against American citizens living and traveling in Russia rose. Of particular concern was a rise in the number of assaults on U.S. and other diplomats, as well as ethnic minorities. Although many of the incidents reported by American citizens involved some type of theft or extortion of a small bribe, the embassy has received reports of a number of serious incidents of physical assaults perpetrated against Americans. These include robbery at gunpoint, stabbing of victims in order to gain compliance, and kidnapping in order to force the victim to remove money from an ATM.

Another problem facing the American community in Russia is the drugging of drinks in local bars and clubs. Substances such as scopolamine or rohypnol are slipped into an individuals’ drink, resulting in incapacitation, at which point the victim is then robbed of their valuables. These incidents not only occur in bars and nightclubs, but also in residences and hotel rooms at the hands of invited guests. Additionally, victims may simply be encouraged to drink an excessive amount of alcohol in order to make them more vulnerable.

The Embassy continues to be concerned by a steady increase in racially motivated incidents and ethnically motivated violence throughout Russia. The membership and level of activity of local skinhead groups continue to grow. Attacks on ethnic minorities by young Russian ultra-nationalists, who profess a sentiment of “Russia is for Russians,” have risen for the second straight year. The visibility of these groups has grown following the posting of a video on the internet depicting the decapitation and shooting of two ethnic minorities in front of a large flag bearing a swastika. Additionally, these groups have held marches and demonstrations in conjunction with political marches in anticipation of the State Duma elections. The independent Soya Center reported a 28 percent increase in the number of ethnically motivated attacks for the first nine months of the year.

Anti-foreigner and anti-American sentiment continues to be a problem in Russia as well. The embassy has received numerous reports of the assaults, including on the children of diplomats. Other targets have been foreigners studying in Russian universities or religious missionaries. Many of these acts are perpetrated by groups of three or more youths, who are often not dressed as “skinheads” nor are they part of any organized racist group.

Robbery has continued to be frequent and sometimes violent. Robbers have been known to pose as taxi drivers or police officers and after the victim is taken inside a car, the victim is threatened with death until a sufficient amount of money is paid. After the robbers have departed, victims should immediately notify the consulate and the police. Risk factors which increase the likelihood of being robbed include traveling alone, being out late at night, using unmarked “gypsy” taxis, and being under the influence of alcohol or other intoxicants. Pedestrians should use extra caution at locations such as outside of Metro stations and in the underground “perehod” crosswalks, where criminals can blend in and watch the crowd for potential victims.

The large volume of traffic and extreme weather conditions has caused continuous road repair projects throughout Russia. Potholes, “black-ice," and aggressive drivers can challenge even the most experienced drivers. One must exercise caution at all times when operating a vehicle in Russia. Individuals operating motor vehicles in Russia should be aware that there is a “zero tolerance” policy for driving while under the influence of alcohol or narcotics. It is possible to be arrested for driving while intoxicated, even after only one drink.

Indigenous terrorist groups are still active in many parts of Russia. Terrorist activities range from vehicle bombings to armed militant attacks on government facilities. Even though many of these incidents are conducted by Chechen extremists, there are several different factions operating throughout the country. Americans are urged not to travel to the Northern Caucasus region. Serious criminal acts, such as kidnappings and murders, continue to be a major concern in Russia, especially in the North Caucasus area. Many of these incidents can be linked to organized crime groups which have ties to various business enterprises operating throughout Russia.

It is not uncommon for American companies to encounter problems with extortion and corruption in the Russian business environment. Organized criminal groups can target businesses in many cities and are known to demand protection money under threat of violence. Russian businesses have been forced to pay a percentage of their revenue to a “krysha” or roof. This payment is intended to ensure the person soliciting the money will not harm the proprietor or business, and in return the protector is supposed to defend the business against other extortion attempts. This system also pervades most private security companies and even reaches into the ranks of law enforcement, who have found the protection racket to be lucrative. In acknowledgement of the scope of the problem, First Deputy Prime Minister, and leading presidential candidate, Dmitry Medvedev in January 2008 pledged in a speech to fight corruption which he described as “legal nihilism.” He included among these crimes the corruption of the “power bodies,” or law enforcement branches of government, which he said exists on a “huge scale.”

American businesses operating in Russia are also susceptible to industrial espionage. There are many people in Russia who are highly trained in gathering information, especially through unprotected computer networks. It is recommended that businesses employ counter surveillance techniques, such as video monitoring devices, alarm systems, and computer network protection programs. Companies can greatly increase their chances of success by proper planning, verifying the bona fides of potential partners, and researching local business practices and laws. American businesses should conduct detailed pre-employment screening and background checks on all Russian partners and staff. American businesses in Russia are responsible and can be held liable for any illegal or malicious actions on the part of their staff, especially any staff with connections to organized crime.

The embassy continues to receive reports from U.S. companies of theft, extortion and threats of violence by Russian business partners who have ties to organized crime. When utilizing local services for banking, security, and medical treatment ensure that they are reputable organizations. Be cautious in the amount of information that you provide to these institutions. It is not uncommon that some of these organizations have employees who passed sensitive personal medical, financial, and banking information to organized crime groups. The information passed to these groups is used to threaten and extort businesses and their employees.

In Russia, most political organizations pursue their goals peacefully and legally, and the government maintains firm control over society. Russia does experience a fair number of protests and demonstrations. There are various groups in Russia that hold annual rallies or demonstrations. These are typically peaceful, but on occasion, some individuals have become violent. However, the Russian government expends a great amount of resources to counteract any such protest, by deploying numerous barricades and militia officers. These protests frequently occur next to the Russian “White House” (its federal government office building), which is situated across from the U.S. Embassy.

The U.S. Embassy continues to monitor domestic political events closely. While the current situation appears stable, the absence of a strong civil society, some continued distrust of the government, and the economy’s heavy dependence on high energy prices could make changes in public attitudes toward the government possible in some scenarios.

Drug-related crimes are on the increase in Russia. Russia is both a transit and consumer country for Afghan opiates (heroin, opium). The opiates are transported from Afghanistan through Central Asia to Russia. In addition to opiates, Russia has been experiencing an increase in the amount of cocaine being imported and seized in recent years. Cocaine shipments are being brought into Russia from South America through various means, including seaports. These cocaine shipments are delivered to organized crime/drug trafficking groups throughout Russia. Russian investigators have reported some of the drug trafficking groups operating within the country are using the proceeds of the transactions to finance terrorism.

The quality of assistance from local law enforcement is at times inadequate. Normally, police responsiveness is generally satisfactory, but there have been reports from American citizens that the police were unprofessional and unwilling to deal with incidents of crime. In some cases, local law enforcement even failed to take action even when they witnessed crimes in progress. In January, 2008, after a series of shootings by rival gangs, the Vladivostok Times reported: “According to police statistics, some 30,000 crimes were committed in Vladivostok in 2007 with a clearance rate of only 27 percent. Head of the regional police Nikolai Vachayev at the meeting of police officers, Vladivostok Duma deputies and reporters on Tuesday openly admitted that, ‘police work ineffectively and Vladivostok is on the list of ten cities [in Russia] with the worst criminal statistics. Vachayev named insufficient financing and the absence of a detention center to work with law breakers as the main reasons for the high crime rate. He did not cite corruption or lack of interest within police departments as possible additional reasons for the disappointing numbers in the fight against crime.”

The Embassy has received several reports from American citizens that the police mistreated or victimized them when reporting a crime. These reports ran from the militia’s refusal to take crime reports, extortion, assaults, up to armed robbery by police officers. Tourists and business travelers often report the solicitation of bribes by police officers. In one test by The Ministry of Internal Affairs officials, police at 22 out of 24 checkpoints accepted bribes in order for a shipment of liquor to not be inspected.

Honest and dedicated law enforcement officers certainly do exist, yet the chance of encountering corrupt, rent-seeking officers. In addition, the practice of racial profiling is widespread, with ethnic minorities frequently being targeted by police. In a 2007 study, 95 percent of individuals stopped by Militia officers in the Moscow metro stations were ethnic minorities. American citizens should report all crimes immediately to the police and to the American Citizen Services section of the nearest embassy or consulate. If detained by the police, it is recommended the individual contact American Citizen Services at the nearest embassy or consulate. Visitors to Russia should assume that their movements and conversations may be monitored at all times by host government personnel. Discretion should be exercised, because privacy cannot be assured, even in hotel rooms or vehicles.

When involved in a traffic accident in Russia, report it to the State Inspectorate for Traffic Security (GIBDD). Immediately stop your vehicle where the accident occurred and do not move the car, even out of the way of traffic, until the traffic police arrive and instruct you to do so. You should not move the vehicles or leave the scene of an accident unless you believe that your personal safety is in danger. Note that GIBDD response to traffic accidents is often very slow.

Police contact numbers - Moscow
- General fire emergency number: 01
- General police emergency number: 02
- Moscow City Criminal Investigative Division 24-hour duty officer: 950-4440.
- Moscow City MVD Economic Crimes Division 24-hour duty officer: 200-9636, 200-8540, 204-8641.
- Moscow Regional Organized Crime Divisions Section on crimes committed by and against foreigners: 237-0911 (Russian liaison officer for the American Embassy), 24-hour duty officer: 237-0401

Crime prevention: Maintain awareness of your environment and the people around you. Make sure that your belongings are secure in your residence or hotel, restaurants, and tourist areas. Be on the lookout for any individuals loitering around you or your home.

You should never assume that you can blend into your surroundings in Russia. Although Westerners, especially affluent ones or businessmen, are targeted, anyone can be a victim. You should avoid wearing or carrying items that mark you as a foreigner, such as logo clothing, shorts, baseball caps, bags and backpacks, among other attire.

Exercise caution and common sense when visiting nightclubs and other late-night establishments. Never leave your drinks unattended, especially when sitting with strangers. Although infrequent, Americans and Westerners have been drugged and robbed while unconscious. This type of drugging can also present a high risk of physical and sexual assault. Well-known types of these drugs are scopolamine, rohypnol, ketamine and gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB), which can impose a serious health risk. In addition, never accept a beverage in an open or re-sealable container from a stranger or recent acquaintance.

Outbreaks of violence between criminal gangs have been known to occur in Russia. These incidents can happen on city streets and various establishments. They can result in physical assaults, shootings, and bombings. Soccer hooliganism is on the rise, and such groups may target fans of rival clubs. You should always walk away from any altercation you encounter, such as a fight or verbal dispute.

Carrying guns in Russia is illegal. However, private bodyguards and security personnel are authorized to carry such weapons. Some of these individuals can be seen at locations frequented by Westerners, such as hotels, nightclubs, and restaurants. Often these weapons may be visible inside belts on holsters. Criminals are also known to carry guns and knives. If you notice a confrontation or see a potentially dangerous situation arise, you should leave the area immediately.

You should carry your passport and visa with you at all times (or a copy). Keep this document on your person in a pocket not easily accessible by pickpockets. You should also make a photocopy of your passport biographic data page and Russian visa. Keep these copies in a safe location in the event that your passport is stolen. The loss or theft of U.S. passports should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. Embassy or consulate. If a Russian visa is lost or stolen, it must be replaced with the assistance of the Russian sponsor. Travelers or residents should avoid keeping large amounts of cash in a hotel room or at home. It is not a good idea to carry large amounts of cash or credit cards; only carry what you will need. It is also a good idea to make photocopies of the front and back of your credit cards, so you have the account numbers and telephone numbers to report them lost or stolen. When making a purchase, avoid flashing large amounts of money.

When leaving your home, make sure that all doors and windows are securely closed and locked. If you are planning on leaving your residence for extended periods of time ask friends to collect your mail and check on the status of your residence. The doors to your home should be of solid wood or steel and secured with a strong, properly installed lock. Installing an alarm system, intercom, and window grilles can also increase the security of your residence. When entering your home or hotel in the evening, be cautious of any individuals loitering near the entrance, lobby, stairwell, and elevator. Women in particular should avoid returning home alone in the evening if at all possible.

There have been several incidents reported of Americans being assaulted and robbed by individuals waiting near buildings where foreigners are known to live. You should also be extremely cautious about allowing entrance of strangers to your residence. Before approaching your residence have your keys ready and lock the door behind you.

Scams: The 'turkey drop' is a street scam usually perpetrated by two or more individuals, who attempt to lure an unsuspecting pedestrian into a confrontation, after catching his/her attention by dropping a conspicuous roll of currency on the ground. Typically one individual “accidentally” drops the money on the ground in front of the pedestrian, while the second perpetrator either waits for the money to be picked up by the pedestrian, or picks up the money himself and offers to split it with the pedestrian. The individual who dropped the currency generally returns once the targeted pedestrian has engaged with the other perpetrator, aggressively accusing both his accomplice and the pedestrian of stealing the money. This provokes a confrontation that usually leads to the pedestrian removing their wallet to prove their innocence, which then can result in the pedestrian’s money being stolen.

A recent wrinkle to this scam involves a third individual who quickly arrives on the scene, passing himself off as a security/police official (often with a quick flash of a badge) This “police officer” is part of the scam, working as well to coerce you to remove your wallet and passport. All of these scam artists are very adept at surreptitiously taking large notes from your wallet even if it is out of the victim’s hands for but a brief moment. Victims have reported they felt they saw all of their money in their wallet as they put it back in the pocket/coat, but when they counted the money later, some of the large bills were actually gone. Foreigners in Moscow are frequent targets of this scam, particularly in and around the major hotels and the Red Square/Kremlin vicinity.

Don’t let yourself be baited or tricked into this scam. If someone comes up to you with a roll of money, or if you observe one on the ground in front of you, quickly move away and leave the area without picking up or taking the roll of money. A clear and audible “nyet" helps show the would-be perpetrators that you know what is going on. If a plain-clothed individual attempts to stop you as part of this scam and if you are unable to move away, demand to clearly see their identification. Under no circumstances should you remove or hand over your wallet.

Women should be aware that sexual assaults are as commonplace in Moscow as they are in most large urban areas in the United States. Women are advised to exercise the same caution as they would in any large city in the United States. When purchasing antiques, be sure to buy these items from reputable dealers. There are many vendors who will sell counterfeit or replicas as genuine. Any items such as icons, paintings, and antiques made prior to 1945 can be exported only with a permit from the Russian Ministry of Culture. The export duties on these items are currently set at 100 percent of their value, which is determined by Russian customs.

It is illegal in Russia to use foreign currency to purchase goods or services. Vendors typically will charge high exchange rates, and this also presents a risk of theft or robbery. Legal currency exchange offices are widely available in Moscow.

ATM fraud and related robberies is a major problem in Russia. Criminals target lone individuals at stand-alone ATM machines located in obscure places, such as metro stations. When using an ATM machine, make sure that it is in a safe location and from a reputable banking institution. Make sure to look around for any individuals loitering in the immediate vicinity. Never leave valuables or important documents in your vehicle, such as your passport or car registration. Make sure you remember all details of your car and can describe it to the police. Maintain your vehicle’s identifying information in a safe and accessible location.

Staged vehicle accidents also present a problem in Russia. The RSO Office has received information that an accident scam is operating on the MKAD and larger city roads, targeting single drivers. According to information received, the perpetrators will suddenly begin passing a vehicle with a single driver gesturing that something is wrong with the car. As soon as you stop, a car drives up next to yours, and usually three large individuals get out and inform you that about half a kilometer back, you hit their car. In order to make the situation more believable, the suspects will brush some steel wool along the side of your car. They will ask you to call your insurance company, who will inform you that since you left the scene of an accident, you violated the insurance policy. The suspects will also dial a suspect auto repair shop, which will quote you a price ranging from 10,000 to 30,000 rubles. Additionally, if your vehicle is unlocked, one of the suspects will open your car door and sit inside, refusing to move. They usually will attempt to extort money from you, by refusing to move or through intimidation.

There have been cases in which people in cahoots with the perpetrators have come to the scene posing as of police or traffic safety officers. In order to discern a true GIBDD (State Inspection of Traffic Safety) inspector from an impostor, one should look for the following items - gray uniforms (never camouflage), a black and white short stick, and silver-red badges. The police should always provide their name, rank, and the reason for stopping your vehicle. A true BIBD inspector should never show up alone or without a police car. While many people in Moscow flag private vehicles down for rides and pay the driver to transport them to their destination, this is a high-risk form of transportation that should be avoided. Travelers should take public transportation when at all possible and avoid using private taxis. Several robberies and assaults have taken place when the driver took the passenger somewhere other than the agreed-upon destination.

When walking alone, especially at night, stick to well-lit streets and squares. Avoid speaking with strangers or any asking for assistance. When talking with strangers, do not provide any personal information or travel plans. When visiting tourist areas, be cautious of any individuals who approach you, attempt to speak English. These individuals have been known to scam you through various schemes. You should also never engage in any gambling on the streets. These types of gambling games are usually all fixed.