Israeli police are uncovering a sophisticated fraud known as the “Money Taxi” scam, in which criminals target elderly Russian-speaking victims and steal millions of shekels. While the investigation is centered in the northern district, police caution that the same pattern could spread to Jerusalem, home to one of the country’s largest Russian-speaking communities
Elderly scam in millions – how the scheme works
The investigation begins with dozens of complaints from seniors who were misled into believing they were speaking with police officers or bank employees. Fraudsters impersonate authority figures and instruct victims to hand over large sums of money through taxi drivers ordered via ride-hailing apps. In each case, hundreds of thousands of shekels vanish into the gang’s hands
On Thursday the investigation goes public: detectives from the northern district’s central unit arrest a 30-year-old woman from Haifa, identified as the gang leader. At her home, officers find cash and evidence linking her to the scam, including over 120,000 shekels in Israeli and foreign currency
Fraud against Russian-speaking victims using taxis
Following her arrest, police launch “Operation Money Taxi”, detaining several more suspects from Haifa and Bat Yam. Over the weekend, the Tiberias Magistrate’s Court extends the detention of three of them
Footage released by police shows the dramatic moment the main suspect is arrested on a public bench, handcuffed in front of bystanders. Police say the video was published to highlight the severity of the crimes and deter copycats
Concern in Jerusalem over Russian-speaking elderly
Jerusalem is home to a large elderly Russian-speaking community. Police fear that criminals may attempt to replicate the scam in the capital, exploiting vulnerable seniors’ trust in banks and public institutions
Community organizations in the city already report an increase in suspicious phone scams, though not yet on such a scale. “It’s only a matter of time before someone tries here what was done in the north,” warns a community activist in East Jerusalem
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Police warning in Jerusalem: do not share personal details
Police reiterate their call to the public: never share personal or financial details over suspicious phone calls, never install software on the instructions of unknown callers, and report any suspected fraud immediately to the 100 hotline
In Jerusalem, where tens of thousands of seniors live alone, this warning takes on special urgency. “The city must stay alert,” police stress, “because a single scam can destroy an entire life
