Authorities in Lithuania are issuing warnings to residents about a new scam tactic being employed by criminals. This involves Russian-speaking individuals posing as employees from banks, telecommunication, television, or energy sectors. The scammer begins the call with a professional-sounding automated message in Lithuanian, creating an illusion that the call is from a legitimate mobile operator or public institution. Victims are advised to hang up immediately if they identify such a call.

The fraud scheme leverages recent changes in the second pension pillar, which has opened up new opportunities for scammers to exploit. Victims may be led to believe that their mobile service has been disrupted due to regulatory changes, and they may feel pressured to follow the instructions given by the caller to restore service. A typical script includes a message indicating that a SIM card has been temporarily blocked, along with a demand to remain on the line for assistance from a Russian-speaking expert, which aims to discourage the victim from questioning the legitimacy of the call.

This alarming trend underscores the necessity for public vigilance and awareness regarding such scams, particularly in a time of changing regulations that could make individuals more vulnerable. Authorities urge everyone to be cautious and to verify any suspicious calls independently before taking any action, as victims of such frauds can face severe financial consequences and emotional distress.