Fraudsters speaking Russian swindled 71,300 euros from people in Mažeikiai, the capital, and the Vilnius region
Russian-speaking fraudsters have conned individuals in Lithuania out of a total of 71,300 euros by pretending to be police and utility workers.
In Lithuania, law enforcement has reported a series of fraudulent acts carried out by Russian-speaking scammers who targeted elderly citizens. Two women, aged 70 and 90, were deceived into handing over a total of 71,300 euros on the same day after receiving phone calls from impostors posing as employees of utility companies and banks. In one case, the 70-year-old woman from Vilnius region was approached by a man who collected 44,500 euros, while the 90-year-old woman from the capital lost 12,000 euros when a young woman arrived at her home to collect the money.
The police department has begun preliminary investigations into these incidents, emphasizing the increasing sophistication of scams in the area. The scams are reportedly gaining traction due to changes in Lithuania's second pension pillar, which may have created additional vulnerabilities among the public, particularly the elderly. Authorities are warning citizens to remain vigilant and cautious against such deceptive practices, especially when receiving unsolicited calls.
As the investigations continue, officials are also focusing on public awareness campaigns to educate potential victims on how to identify and avoid scams. The urgency of this matter highlights the need for improved security measures and community engagement to protect vulnerable populations from malicious actors, who exploit the naivety of individuals in distressing financial situations.