A young man was given a four-year suspended sentence for participation in the “the relative involved in accident” swindles. Together with other persons, he cheated a number of victims out of about 228,000 lei. The prosecutors consider the punishment is too mild and intend to challenge it in the Chisinau Appeals Court, IPN reports.

According to the General Prosecutors Office, in June 2023 the 20-year-old man acted together with other members of the criminal group whose role and identity are to be determined. They phoned a woman at her domicile in Chisinau and, presenting themselves as representatives of the law, told her that a close relative of her was involved in a road accident that resulted in the injuring of a person. To hush up the case and to pay for medical services, they asked and received 5,000 lei and €1,400 from her.

The same day, by the same scheme, they swindled two more women out of over 200,000 lei.

The culprit admitted his guilt and the case was examined according to a simplified procedure.

The sentence is not final and can be challenged in the Chisinau Appeals Court within 15 days.