Two detainees aged 23 and 36 held in Leova are investigated for cheating seven persons from Hâncești to whom they promised firewood. The damage caused to these amounts to 100,000 lei. The two have served time in jail for murder and rape for about five years. A similar scheme implemented by a man held at the penitently in Brănești for similar offenses was reported recently, IPN reports.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime and Special Cases, the two men applied the scam during October-November 2022 with the assistance of persons from outside the prison. More exactly, they published announcements with attractive offers, of about 1,100 lei per cubic meter of wood, on the Internet. Later, the clients discussed with the so-called “sellers” and transferred money to accounts of accomplices by using public POS terminals in stores or other locations.

When they came into possession of money, the offenders bought food, cigarettes and communication devices that are banned in jail with the help of other persons.

Following preliminary investigations, four searches were conducted at the penitentiary in Leova. Banned objects were found at the two detainees. The investigations continue to identity all those involved in the scam and the victims of the swindle.