The Deceptive Scheme Unfolds

A 71-year-old woman from Druskininkai fell victim to an elaborate fraud, resulting in a meaningful financial loss. The incident, reported to the druskininkai Police Department on April 26, involved scammers impersonating representatives from a telecommunications company, a bank, and even the police.

According to the police report, the woman, born in 1952, received calls at her home on April 25. The callers, through deceptive tactics, convinced her to hand over her and her husband’s bank cards to a stranger who arrived at her residence.

The woman stated that skambinusieji prisistatė telekomunikacijų įmonės, banko ir policijos darbuotojais bei apgaulės būdu įtikino atiduoti savo ir sutuoktinio banko korteles.

Druskininkai Police Department

Financial Devastation

It wasn’t until later that the woman discovered the extent of the fraud. A total of €17,500 had been illicitly withdrawn from her bank accounts.

Law enforcement officials initiated a pre-trial investigation on April 28, focusing on the unauthorized use of electronic payment instruments or their data.

Legal Ramifications

The Lithuanian Criminal Code outlines severe penalties for those who illegally use electronic payment methods or data. the code states:

tas,kas neteisėtai inicijavo ar atliko vieną ar daugiau finansinių operacijų viena ar daugiau svetimų,netikrų ar suklastotų elektroninių mokėjimo priemonių arba neteisėtai panaudodamas vieną ar daugiau svetimų elektroninių mokėjimo priemonių ar jų naudotojo tapatybės patvirtinimo priemonių duomenis,arba panaudodamas žinomai netikrus vienos ar daugiau tapatybės patvirtinimo priemonių duomenis,arba žinomai neteisėtą vienos ar daugiau svetimų,netikrų ar suklastotų elektroninių mokėjimo priemonių panaudojimą pripažino teisėtu,baudžiamas bauda arba laisvės apribojimu,arba areštu,arba laisvės atėmimu iki šešerių metų.

Lithuanian Criminal Code

This translates to potential penalties ranging from fines and restrictions of freedom to arrest or imprisonment for up to six years.

FAQ: Protecting Yourself from Scams

What should I do if I receive a suspicious call?

Hang up promptly and contact the company or association directly using a verified phone number.

How can I protect my bank cards?

Never share your PIN or card details with anyone. Monitor your bank statements regularly for unauthorized transactions.

What if I think I’ve been scammed?

Report the incident to your bank and the police immediately.

The Rise of Impersonation Scams

Impersonation scams, where criminals pose as trusted figures like bank employees or law enforcement officers, are on the rise.These scams frequently enough target vulnerable individuals, exploiting their trust and fear to extract money or personal information. The key to avoiding these scams is vigilance and skepticism. Always verify the identity of anyone requesting personal or financial information, and never feel pressured to make immediate decisions.