Citizens of several countries, particularly elderly people, were allegedly drawn into a fake stock and cryptocurrency investment scheme, according to the General Inspectorate of Police. On the evening of 5 November 2026, 9 people were detained following searches at the call center used by the group under investigation.
How were potential investors attracted?
The alleged scheme relied on online ads promoting investments with quick and substantial returns, according to the Police. Interested people were invited to invest money in stocks or cryptocurrencies using investment and trading platforms set up in advance.
The group allegedly used a company with a name intended to inspire trust, and its members presented themselves as financial experts. According to case materials cited by the Police, the people targeted were mainly elderly, and money was allegedly obtained from citizens of several countries.
What have investigators established?
Investigators say they identified the group’s activities and the roles of its members through special investigative measures and evidence gathered. The Police say people recruited to work for the group were allegedly tested using a polygraph to ensure they would not disclose information about the scheme.
The searches on the evening of 5 November 2026 targeted the call center used by the group under investigation. Among the 9 people detained, aged 22 to 43, is the alleged leader.
What happens next in the case?
Charges are to be brought on the basis of the evidence gathered, according to the Police. Prosecutors will decide on preventive measures.
Most of the people targeted are from the Republic of Moldova, including Chișinău, Cimișlia District and the Transnistrian region, while others are from Romania and Ukraine. The persons under investigation benefit from the presumption of innocence until a final court ruling.
Sources
- Inspectoratul General al Poliției — Nouă persoane reținute într-o schemă internațională de escrocherie cu investiții false în criptomonede
Written with AI assistance from the official sources above and checked by the editors.
What we checked (7 claims and their sources)
Every figure, date and name in the article, with the official source it comes from (in Romanian). The check against sources is automatic, before editor approval.
- Inspectoratul General al Poliției a publicat informațiile despre dosar pe 6 noiembrie 2026. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
- Perchezițiile la centrul de apel și reținerea celor 9 persoane au avut loc în seara de 5 noiembrie 2026, indicată drept „aseară” în informația publicată pe 6 noiembrie. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
- Cele 9 persoane reținute au vârste cuprinse între 22 și 43 de ani, iar printre ele se află presupusul lider al grupării. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
- Potrivit Poliției, schema ar fi vizat cetățeni din mai multe țări, în special persoane în etate, prin publicitate online pentru investiții în acțiuni și criptomonede. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
- Gruparea ar fi activat sub paravanul unei companii, prezentându-se drept o echipă de experți financiari, iar persoanele recrutate ar fi fost testate la poligraf. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
- Majoritatea persoanelor vizate sunt originare din Republica Moldova, inclusiv din Chișinău, raionul Cimișlia și regiunea transnistreană, iar altele sunt din România și Ucraina. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
- Urmează formularea învinuirilor, iar procurorii vor decide asupra măsurilor preventive. — Inspectoratul General al Poliției
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