A court in Panevėžys has upheld a strict sentence for D. Maulius, a phone scammer who defrauded victims out of tens of thousands of euros while serving a prison sentence.
The Panevėžys Regional Court has confirmed the sentence of D. Maulius, who systematically executed phone scams from prison between September and October 2020. Posing as a police officer or bank employee, Maulius would contact random individuals, tricking them into believing that unauthorized operations were occurring on their bank accounts. He would extract sensitive banking information and swiftly transfer funds into other accounts or arrange for their withdrawal through accomplices at large.
In one particularly notable incident, Maulius deceived the CEO of a company based in Vilnius, successfully siphoning over 32,000 euros from the firm's account within a single day. His modus operandi involved exploiting the victims' trust by creating a sense of urgency regarding their supposed financial safety, further highlighting the risks associated with identity theft and phone scams, especially under circumstances when perpetrators can operate from behind prison walls.
The court's decision to uphold the severe penalty reflects the judiciary's firm stance against financial crimes and serves as a warning that such fraudulent activities will not go unpunished. This case raises awareness about the growing trend of cyber fraud and the innovative tactics employed by criminals, even while incarcerated, emphasizing the need for enhanced public education on scams and preventive measures.
