A swindle based on fake investments in stocks and cryptocurrency was discovered by prosecutors and police officers during searches carried out at a number of call centers in Chisinau. According to the authorities, the scammers lured victims through online advertisements, promising quick and guaranteed earnings, IPN reports.

The PCCOCS noted that interested persons filled out a form with personal data, then were contacted by phone by individuals who presented themselves as financial consultants or brokers. They persuaded them to make investments, guaranteeing considerable profits.

In one of the cases, a person was defrauded of 70,000 lei. After realizing that he became the victim of fraud, he alerted the authorities, who intervened and carried out searches in a series of locations in the capital city, with the support of “Fulger” police officers. Investigators seized $7,000, €990, mobile phones, laptops, phone and bank cards, as well as documents relevant to the investigation.

The call centers were closed and a number of people aged between 35 and 38, including company managers, team leaders and telephone operators, are under criminal investigation.

The authorities urge citizens to be cautious about offers that promise quick and secure gain, not to click on suspicious links, not to disclose personal or banking data and not to transfer money without consulting an authorized specialist. If someone becomes a victim of such a scheme, they are urged to urgently inform the police and the bank in order to try to recover the funds.