In a series of unfortunate incidents reported by the Police Department, elderly residents of Vilnius have become victims of a sophisticated scamming operation. The scammers, speaking Russian, posed as employees of telecommunication companies, banks, and even police officers to deceive vulnerable seniors into parting with their money. One woman born in 1939 reported losing 20,000 euros during a call on Tuesday afternoon, while another elderly victim, born in 1949, lost 14,000 euros shortly before noon the same day, after receiving a similar call. Another woman, aged 84, also reported being scammed out of a large sum when contacted by a supposed police officer.

These incidents highlight a growing trend of financial fraud targeting older individuals, who may be less familiar with electronic communication methods and more trusting of individuals claiming to represent authoritative institutions. The alarming scale of the losses, surpassing 100,000 euros across multiple victims, raises concerns about the effectiveness of current measures to combat such crimes.

Law enforcement agencies are urging the public to remain vigilant, especially the elderly populace, and to report any suspicious calls or behavior. The police have launched investigations into these scams, looking to identify and apprehend the perpetrators. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of awareness and education in preventing financial fraud, particularly among vulnerable groups.