In Lithuania, there has been a significant increase in pension fraud, with criminals posing as pension consultants and utilizing well-crafted strategies to deceive residents. These scammers are urging individuals to withdraw their funds from the second tier of pension savings, directing them to fraudulent websites that mimic genuine banks and pension funds. The primary objective is to obtain sensitive bank credentials through manipulative tactics.

What is particularly alarming is the scammers' fluency in Lithuanian, despite many of them being native Russian speakers, as highlighted by representatives from the State Tax Inspectorate (VMI). Their knowledge of banking processes and familiarity with the names of bank employees add to their credibility. In many cases, the scammers even go so far as to inform victims that their bank will call back shortly, making it easier to manipulate individuals into providing personal information. The fraudulent websites are designed to resemble real ones nearly perfectly, further complicating the situation for unsuspecting victims.

Residents are urged to remain vigilant and avoid falling victim to these scams. The recommendations include not succumbing to pressure tactics, terminating calls if there is any doubt, and contacting banks or institutions via official numbers only. Most importantly, individuals should never confirm actions through Smart-ID or similar authentication methods without absolute certainty, as this form of identification can easily be exploited by the fraudsters.