A woman from Chișinău detained in a fraud case involving more than one million lei

A 67-year-old man allegedly lost more than one million lei after receiving calls from people claiming they could help him prevent fraud. On 2 November 2026, the General Inspectorate of Police announced the detention in Gagauzia of a woman from Chișinău suspected of collecting money as part of the scheme.

How was the man persuaded to hand over the money?

The man was allegedly persuaded to hand money to couriers on the pretext that this would help prevent alleged fraud, according to information provided by the Police. The people who contacted him by phone allegedly claimed to be employees of a mobile phone company and law enforcement agencies.

The money was allegedly handed over in several instalments, rather than in a single payment. Investigators say the detained woman was among the couriers who collected the sums from the victim.

What role does the investigation attribute to the detained woman?

The woman was allegedly tasked with collecting money from victims and passing it on to other members of the group, according to the Police. Investigators say they have also identified her involvement in other similar cases.

The woman was caught in the act in the Autonomous Territorial Unit of Gagauzia as she was allegedly trying to collect another instalment. Police officers and prosecutors from the Centru sector, as well as officers from the Chișinău Police Directorate, took part in the operation.

The woman is under criminal investigation for fraud. The penalty indicated by the Police is 4 to 8 years in prison if her guilt is established.

What does the Police recommend in the event of such calls?

The General Inspectorate of Police states that employees of law enforcement agencies and telephone companies do not ask people to hand over money through other people. In the event of such requests, the institution recommends that citizens do not give money to strangers and immediately notify the Police.