Phenomenon of phone, online fraud continuously growing in Moldova; General Police Inspectorate handling 754 fraud cases

The General Police Inspectorate (IGP) is currently handling 754 cases related to phone fraud. In more recently investigated criminal cases, law-enforcement authorities documented individual damages amounting to millions of Moldovan lei and uncovered the activities of networks specialized in phone and online fraud. The data today was presented at parliamentary hearings on the prevention and combating of phone and online fraud.

The event took place under the auspices of the parliamentary commission for national security, defence and public order and the commission for economy, budget and finance.

During the hearings, the MPs examined the scale of the phenomenon of phone and online fraud in Moldova, the effectiveness of the measures applied by the authorities and existing vulnerabilities. The discussions also focused on identifying solutions to strengthen citizens’ protection, including through improvements to the legislative framework.

The hearings were attended by State Secretary of the Interior Ministry Alexandru Bejan, Head of the General Police Inspectorate, Viorel Cernauteanu, Head of the Cyber Crime Combating Center, Iurie Rosca, Director of the Service for the Prevention and Combating of Money Laundering Andrian Munteanu, as well as representatives of authorities responsible for cybersecurity, the banking sector, telecommunications operators and specialized organizations.

Data unveiled by the competent institutions shows that the phenomenon of phone and online fraud is continuously increasing, against the backdrop of the accelerated digitalization of financial and communication services. On the period 2023–2025, there was a constant increase in the number of fraud cases and in the first five months of 2026, the number of complaints was approximately 19 per cent higher against the same period of the previous year.

According to the information presented, the phenomenon is evolving from isolated frauds to organized networks, including transnational ones, which use call centers and fictitious platforms. The most frequent types of fraud reported in the period January–May 2026 were fake banking security (515 cases), fraudulent investments (310 cases) and fake contract or telecom service updates (230 cases).

The territorial distribution of cases shows a strong concentration in the Chisinau municipality, where more than half of all reported frauds are recorded. At the same time, the data shows that the most vulnerable categories are people over the age of 66, affected mainly by frauds related to banking security and people aged between 56 and 65, who are frequently targeted by fictitious investment schemes.

The participants in the hearings highlighted the boosted cooperation between the Police, the National Bank of Moldova, commercial banks, telecommunications operators and other responsible institutions, with a view to the rapid exchange of information, blocking fraudulent calls and messages, reporting cybercrimes and protecting consumers of financial services.

Joint operations and public information campaigns have also been carried out. According to the data presented, more than 80 per cent of fraud attempts reported to the 112 Service have been thwarted.

The participants underlined the need to update the regulatory framework, including by introducing faster procedures for blocking suspicious funds, strengthening reporting mechanisms and applying additional measures against fraudulent calls.

After the hearings, the Inquiry Commission for examining the phenomenon of phone, financial and digital fraud and for assessing the effectiveness of measures to prevent and combat it held a meeting, at which the information presented was summarized. Based on the conclusions formulated, the commission will draw up a set of recommendations and solutions aimed at strengthening the protection of citizens against these crimes.

The Inquiry Commission was established by parliament at the plenary meeting of June 4. It is made up of 11 MPs, representing all parliamentary factions, and is chaired by MP Lilian Carp, head of the parliamentary commission for national security, defence and public order.