Massive attempts to recruit Belarusians abroad
Over the past six months, the KGB has been actively recruiting people. In particular, in recent weeks, we have learned of several cases in which parents of Belarusians abroad have been threatened and asked to provide their children's contact information, citing their children's ties to the Center for New Ideas ( an analytical and educational center designated an extremist organization in 2025 ).
Over the past six months, the KGB has been actively recruiting people. In particular, in recent weeks, we have learned of several cases in which parents of Belarusians abroad have been threatened and asked to provide their children's contact information, citing their children's ties to the Center for New Ideas ( an analytical and educational center designated an extremist organization in 2025 ).
Instructions - what to do
Someone is calling you from your parents' phone and claiming to be from the KGB. What should you do?
We are receiving increasing reports of cases in which KGB officers are contacting Belarusians abroad. Most often, the contact begins through the parents: they are called, asked questions about their children, and asked to establish direct contact. Fortunately, in the cases we are aware of, this has not yet resulted in arrests. However, it is important to understand that such contacts are part of a systematic effort to find individuals to cooperate with and gather information.
How does recruitment happen?
In the cases we know, the diagram usually looks like this:
- They contact parents and try to obtain information about the person abroad.
- Having received contact, they get in touch directly.
- They use threats, pressure, manipulation, or, on the contrary, “friendly” offers.
- They are trying to draw a person into long-term communication.
The main goal of such contacts is to persuade a person to long-term cooperation, obtain as much information as possible, and create a situation in which it will be almost impossible to refuse contact.
Therefore, the most important rule is not to let yourself get drawn into this process.
Step 1: Talk to your parents
Explain in simple terms that people seeking information about you are not helping you or acting in your best interests . Regularly remind them of basic safety rules:
- do not discuss you over the phone;
- do not share your contacts;
- do not subscribe to unknown channels at someone’s request;
- Do not disclose personal information about yourself.
It's best to repeat these conversations every few months, because people may forget safety rules or stop taking threats seriously.
Step 2: Agree on a "cover story" with your parents
One of the safest tactics: “ My daughter (son) left, we hardly communicate, we don’t know where she is now .”
This way, parents can answer: “ I don’t know ,” “ I don’t have information ,” “ I can’t help ,” “ I don’t know the numbers .”
This position does not help anyone to obtain additional information and leaves no room for further pressure on parents.
Step 3: Prepare parents for possible re-contact
If your parents are willing to take a little more control of the situation, you can prepare them for future contact by asking questions:
- What is the employee's full name?
- Why are you looking for my son/daughter? Is there any case opened?
- How can I check your credentials?
This can be explained by caution due to numerous cases of fraud on the Internet and by telephone.
Step 4: Pay attention to the security of parents' devices
If employees had physical access to the parents' phone, it cannot be ruled out that security settings on the device could have been changed, additional software installed, or accounts accessed.
Therefore, ideally:
- new SIM card;
- new device;
- new passwords;
- reconfiguring messengers.
If parents find it difficult to do this on their own, you can ask people you trust for help.
Step 5: If they contacted you
If agents contact you, do not respond, take screenshots of suspicious messages, and then block the contact. Recruitment is one of the KGB's tactics. Their goal is not to detain people, but to find them and coerce them into cooperation by any means necessary (threats, "friendship," etc.).
Thus, refusing contact prevents them from continuing their recruitment line.
Step 6: Stay calm
Situations like these are stressful, especially when the pressure comes from parents. But in most cases, the most effective tactic is to avoid engaging in communication, prepare parents in advance, and regularly remind them of safety rules.
The less information they have about you and the fewer opportunities they have for contact, the more difficult it is to engage you in further communication.