Lithuanian police reported on March 16 that two women fell victim to elaborate phone scams in which fraudsters posed as bank employees and police officers. The first case involved a woman, born in 1959, who was contacted on March 2 while at home in Klaipeda and convinced to transfer €15,000. The second incident involved a 1938-born woman from Vilnius, who was similarly tricked out of €16,000 by a man who visited her home under the guise of a police officer.

Authorities are now pursuing investigations into these fraud cases, highlighting the ongoing issue of con artists targeting vulnerable individuals. The perpetrators typically use scare tactics or impersonation to build trust before executing the scam. Both victims were reportedly led to believe they were helping the police or protecting their bank accounts from theft.

The Lithuanian Penal Code states that those who acquire property or economic rights through deception for personal or others' benefit face severe penalties, including fines, community service, or imprisonment for up to three years. This incident serves as a sharp reminder of the need for increased awareness and protective measures against such fraud schemes, especially among the elderly population who may be more susceptible to scams.