Russia's “Black Widow” Marriage Scam Targets Soldiers

In Russia, a growing fraud scheme dubbed “black widows” sees women marry men who are about to be deployed to the Ukraine front or who return severely wounded. After the soldier’s death, the new wife—often much younger—claims the state‑paid death benefit, which starts at five million rubles (about $55‑$64 k).

The practice has been highlighted by several recent cases. One daughter, Maria of St. Petersburg, learned that her 59‑year‑old father Yury had been killed in combat and had married a woman only two days before his deployment. The widow, unknown to the family, became the legal heir and is now entitled to the compensation, leaving the soldier’s relatives with nothing. Similar stories involve a nurse accused of marrying five soldiers she cared for in a military hospital.

Russian officials have begun to respond. Duma deputy Leonid Sluzki called for stronger protection of soldiers’ families against such scams, and reports indicate that even members of the security forces in Primorsky Krai have been implicated in arranging sham marriages. The phenomenon is fueling public outrage amid the broader hardships of the war in Ukraine.