Category: Moldova

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Financial scammers detained following actions coordinated by Eurojust

Source: Eurojust

The OCG started their scam by posting false advertisements on the internet that promoted an investment plan that would lead to secure, quick and substantial earnings in virtual currencies. To ensure the credibility of the advertisements, pictures of well-known people, logos of banks and specialised economic publications were added.

People clicking on the advertisement were led to a fake investment platform where the victims would fill in their personal information. To obtain even more personal data, the scammers, posing as financial actors, called their victims to gain access to their bank accounts. With access to the bank accounts, the group transferred sums of money and took over the possession of the victim’s virtual currencies. Through this scam, the OCG was able to gain approximately EUR 3 million.

Investigations into the scam started after victims in Romania reached out to the authorities. This resulted in the uncovering of an organised crime group in Moldova that was responsible for the scam. Investigations continued at Eurojust, where the Romanian and Moldovan authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) to work together quickly and efficiently to stop the OCG.

The coordinated actions led to an action day on 7 August during which 19 house searches were conducted in Moldova and evidence such as computers, data storage units, weapons and ammunition, and documents were seized. Moldovan authorities ordered the preventive detention of 12 suspects.

Europol supported the action day by setting up a virtual command post to coordinate the operational activities, providing live cryptoanalysis and cross-checks against Europol’s databases as the data was being collected in the field.

The following authorities were involved in the actions:

  • Romania: Directorate for Investigation of Organized Crime and Terrorism – Central Structure
  • Moldova: Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases
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Eurojust assists in uncovering a high-level corruption scheme

Source: Eurojust

It is believed that with their bribes, the fugitives with a Red Notice attempted to obtain asylum or refugee seeker status in Moldova or other countries in an effort to delete or block a Red Notice. Moreover, the suspects sought information about their INTERPOL Red Notice to try and avoid detection. A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement agencies worldwide to locate an individual for extradition, surrender or other legal action.

Effective and quick international cooperation was key to putting a stop to the corruption scheme. INTERPOL, the International Criminal Police Organization based in France, alerted the French authorities about the possible corruption scheme and the bribes taking place in Moldova. Eurojust’s support was instrumental in ensuring that French and Moldovan authorities were able to work together rapidly.

A joint investigation team was set up at Eurojust between French and Moldovan authorities during a coordination meeting at the Agency. This enabled the authorities to exchange information and evidence, determine the judicial strategy and carry out joint operations. Authorities from the United Kingdom supported the operation by providing important information on the suspects after linking the operation to a separate investigation into an international cybercrime network.

On 4 June, an action day took place in Moldova, during wich search warrants were executed for 12 persons in 33 locations. Mobile phones, laptops, computers and other items and documents were seized during the operation, which received grants from Eurojust’s funding programme for joint investigation teams. Four people were detained for up to 72 hours. On 5 June, a high-level official was arrested for 30 days at the request of the Moldovan prosecutor.

The operation was carried out by the following authorities:

  • France: National Financial Prosecutor’s Office; OCLCIFF (Central Anti-Corruption Office within the French National Police)
  • Moldova: Anti-corruption Prosecution Office
  • United Kingdom: National Crime Agency
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Migrant smuggling operation taken down by Romanian and Moldovan authorities

Source: Eurojust

A migrant smuggling operation has been dismantled by Romanian and Moldovan authorities, with the support of Eurojust. From 2019 until now, an organised crime group (OCG) smuggled over 100 migrants to the Schengen Area, demanding up to EUR 5 000 for the transport. On 27 May, authorities searched 11 houses and carried out multiple interrogations in Romania, and on 16 May another eight searches were conducted in Moldova, followed by the arrest of four drivers and their leader.

© – Romanian Police

The OCG smuggled migrants from Asia or Africa for sums ranging from EUR 3 000 to EUR 5 000. The migrants were smuggled in special spaces created to disguise the transport. The suspects used multiple routes for the smuggling, passing through Austria, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Hungary, Macedonia, Romania, Serbia and Türkiye. As part of their operation, the OCG recruited victims from countries that did not require a visa to travel to the European Union to transport the migrants undetected.

With the support of Eurojust, the Romanian and Moldovan authorities set up a joint investigation team (JIT) to expose the OCG. The suspects include over 20 Romanian and Moldovan citizens. In April, multiple house searches, interrogations and asset seizures were carried out in Moldova. Currently, four drivers from Moldova and their organiser have been officially charged with organising illegal immigration.

The JIT resulted in action days on 16 May in Moldova and on 27 May in Romania. Authorities were able to conduct 19 house searches and perform multiple interrogations of suspects. Of the five members of the OCG from Moldova, two have made a full confession. Eurojust facilitated cooperation between the Romanian and Moldovan authorities. Eurojust’s assistance in setting up a JIT ensured that the Romanian and Moldovan authorities were able to cooperate faster and more efficiently during the investigation.

The following authorities were involved in the operation:

Romania:

  • Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism – Galați Territorial Service
  • Bureau for Combating Organized Crime Galați
  • Service for Combating Organized Crime Dâmbovița
  • Special Operations Directorate of the Romanian Police

Moldova:

  • Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crimes and Special Cases
  • National Investigative Inspectorate of the General Police Inspectorate