Moldova police warn of phone fraud after €61k scam
Moldovan police have documented five new cases of phone fraud, including three earlier incidents recently reported by victims. Total financial losses from these cases exceed 1 million MDL (approx. €51,000).
Elderly woman loses €61,000 in real estate fraud
The most severe incident occurred in Durlești, a suburb of Chișinău. Fraudsters impersonating officers from the General Police Inspectorate targeted a 73-year-old woman over the course of a month.
The scammers falsely claimed that unauthorized loans had been opened in her name. They persuaded her to execute a fake sale of her apartment to protect her property from seizure.
After selling her home, the woman handed over €61,000 (approx. 1.2 million MDL) in cash to a courier sent by the suspects. She reported the crime to the police on Thursday, August 13.
Police issue urgent public warning
Law enforcement authorities warn that fraudsters use intimidation and urgency to force victims into making rash decisions without verifying claims.
Police advise the public never to disclose bank card details, passwords, or authentication codes over the phone.
If a suspicious call occurs, citizens should hang up immediately and verify the information by contacting the relevant institution through official channels. Suspicious activity can be reported directly to emergency services at 112.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
