In a disturbing series of scams reported to the Mažeikiai police, elderly women in the regions of Mažeikiai and Vilnius fell victim to fraudsters posing as telecommunications company employees, bank workers, and police officers. The first case involved a 73-year-old woman from Mažeikiai who was deceived out of €14,800 after receiving a phone call from individuals speaking Russian. The scammers arranged for one of their accomplices to meet her at home to collect the money.

On the same day, a 90-year-old woman living in Vilnius reported losing €12,000 to a similar scam. She received a phone call from individuals claiming to be from a telecommunications company and bank, resulting in her handing over cash to a supposed courier who came to her residence. In yet another incident in the Vilnius region, a 74-year-old woman was cheated out of €44,500 by fraudsters who again posed as utility workers and police officers, highlighting the alarming trend of targeting vulnerable seniors through deceitful tactics.

The police have since begun pre-trial investigations into these incidents, emphasizing the need for heightened awareness and preventive measures against such scams. These cases are particularly concerning given the psychological and financial toll that such scams take on the victims, often leaving them in precarious situations. Law enforcement agencies are urging the public, especially the elderly, to be vigilant against unsolicited calls and to verify identities before sharing any personal or financial information.