Scam victims in Moldova lost over 27 million lei in just 12 days
More than 27.2 million lei was stolen from citizens' pockets and bank accounts in just 12 days through numerous telephone scams. Between May 20 and June 1, authorities recorded 149 cases of telephone scams and 2,911 attempted frauds, according to the General Inspectorate of Police.
The daily analysis reveals that the largest financial losses occurred on three specific days in May: May 28, with a loss of 3.9 million lei; May 21, with a loss of 3.8 million lei; and May 23, with a loss of 3.3 million lei.
Law enforcement officials report that the most common scams involved individuals posing as representatives from banks, the police, the Intelligence and Security Service of the Republic of Moldova, or courier companies.
Through manipulation and deceit, these scammers convinced victims to make bank transfers, take out loans, or hand over cash to supposed couriers.
The period from May 25 to May 29 marked a peak in criminal activity, with over two thousand reported attempts—accounting for more than 76% of all cases. Authorities explain that these scammers primarily operate on weekdays, exploiting the fact that victims often have quick and easy access to banking or credit services.
During the weekend of May 24-25, losses exceeding 5.5 million lei were reported. However, from May 31 to June 1, there was a notable decrease, with only 8 cases reported and losses totalling approximately 172 thousand lei.
Authorities are urging citizens to exercise maximum caution and refrain from sharing bank details, verification codes, or any other confidential information via phone or text message. The public is also encouraged to verify the identities of anyone requesting money through official channels before making any transfers or taking out loans.
