Moldovan Authorities and U.S. Embassy Recover Property Stolen by Online Fraud

On September 5, 2006, the Moldovan Ministry of Internal Affairs turned over to the U.S. Embassy in Chisinau property valued at 150,000 USD that had been stolen from Americans via Internet transactions. According to a press release of the US Embassy, the diplomatic mission and the Ministry of Internal Affairs had been working since April 2006 on a large-scale criminal investigation of Internet auction fraud. The investigation involved 32 American victims and approximately USD 250,000 in stolen, high-value jewelry obtained by mail from the United States. Property belonging to eight additional victims has also been seized by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and is being prepared for return to the United States. Through this joint action, a significant criminal enterprise operating from Moldova and Romania was annihilated. The Ministry of Internal Affairs has arrested two Posta Moldovei employees connected to this investigation. An official of the US Embassy qualified the efforts of MIA as “being a great example of the tight relationship between the governments of Moldova and USA. The U.S. Government warns American citizens (http://travel.state.gov/) that substantial criminal enterprises specializing in this type of crime are emerging in Moldova.. “The Moldovan and U.S. law enforcement authorities are working together closely to address this crime trend,” the Embassy official added.