Rewritten Title: Official Alert: Public Warned of Sophisticated Phishing Scams Masquerading as Equity Loan Offers
Article:
In an official advisory, Iran’s Ministry of Economy has issued a stark warning to citizens regarding a surge in fraudulent schemes falsely promising “Equity Loan” (Saham-e Edalat) disbursements without standard requirements.
A Deceptive Campaign
The ministry has clarified that any offer for an Equity Loan that claims to bypass the need for a guarantor or promissory note is categorically false. These sophisticated phishing operations, disseminated through deceptive links and mobile applications, have a singular goal: to harvest sensitive personal and financial data from unsuspecting individuals. Authorities stress that all legitimate loan applications must be processed exclusively through official channels, such as the “Samat” system, and are contingent upon a formal bank credit assessment.
The Reality of Legitimate Loans
While a legitimate loan program using Equity shares as collateral was initiated by some banks in 2021, it has never operated without stringent safeguards. Officials and economic experts confirm that these formal facilities always require either a credible guarantor, alternative collateral, or an acceptable credit rating.
Economic analyst Mohammad Shabani elaborated, “Promises of 30 or 50 million Toman loans without a guarantor are completely unrealistic and purely for promotional, deceptive purposes.” He noted that even in rare cases where a direct guarantor might be waived, it is exclusively for individuals with an exceptionally high credit score (above 70 out of 100) and is typically coupled with a 20 to 30 percent deduction from the share’s value.
Scale of the Threat and Legal Consequences
The increasing intrinsic value of the Equity shares, now exceeding 15 million Toman for full beneficiaries, has made this scam particularly attractive to fraudsters. While banks may legally loan up to 55% of this value, the prerequisite of a good credit rating and a guarantor remains non-negotiable.
The scale of this threat is significant. Cyber Police (FATA) statistics from the current Iranian year reveal the discovery of over 500 related fraud cases. With approximately 49 million Equity shareholders in the country, even a small percentage falling victim could lead to substantial financial damages.
Iran’s E-Commerce Law criminalizes the dissemination of fake advertisements and the creation of unauthorized banking gateways. Perpetrators face severe penalties, including full restitution of stolen assets and fines of up to 50 million Toman.
Protecting Shareholder Rights
The Ministry of Economy and law enforcement agencies strongly urge beneficiaries to consult directly with official banks before taking any action. All loan applications must be pursued strictly through legal pathways to prevent the illegal freezing or transfer of their shares. For transparency and the protection of shareholder rights, citizens are advised to pursue any grievances through official regulatory bodies.