[60421] Online scams and trade in circumvention software in Iran: reports from the network
[60421] Online scams and trade in circumvention software in Iran: reports from the network
Reports on social networks in Iran point to an increase in scams surrounding the sale of VPN services, alongside claims of profiteering in the content provider community.
Alerts regarding scams and exorbitant prices in the VPN market in Iran
In reports circulated on May 15, 2026, Telegram channels reporting on current events in Iran, including خبرفوری ࡆ اخبارفوری مذاکره ࡆ جنگ فوری, published sharp warnings against widespread scams in the field of selling VPN services (filter-shakers).
According to the report on خبرفوری, many users reported falling victim to financial scams while attempting to purchase censorship circumvention browsing services. The channel, which is associated with general and political news coverage, claims that there is a phenomenon of profiteering in this market: "All the merchants who sell configurations for 300-400 Tomans, themselves buy them for 150 Tomans."
The reports, which gained significant exposure on other channels such as قیمتلحظهای دلار طلا و سکה خودرو, خبرفوری جنگ🚨اخبارفوری امریکا فوری, خبرفورینیوز | اخبار جنگ | حمله امریکا and تهران آنلاین ࡆ TehranOnline, highlight the difficulty citizens face in obtaining stable access services to the global internet, in light of existing government restrictions.
While the channels are usually used for reporting on currency prices and security news, the subject of VPNs has become a focal point of public discussion that highlights the black economy created around the citizens' need for free access to the internet.