Government plans national centre to investigate online fraud

The Lithuanian government plans to establish a National Fraud Investigation Centre to strengthen efforts against fraud in the digital space, LRT reported.

Under the implementation plan for the 21st Government’s programme, Lithuania aims to prepare and begin implementing a national strategy against online fraud and establish and activate the centre by the second quarter of 2027.

The Interior Ministry will be responsible for implementing the measure. The Government Chancellery, the Finance and Defence ministries, the Bank of Lithuania, the Transport and Communications Ministry and the Communications Regulatory Authority will also take part.

Fraud remains one of the country’s most pressing crime problems. The Interior Ministry said this year that the total number of registered criminal offences in Lithuania fell by 52% between 2005 and 2025, while the number of fraud cases rose by 25% during the same period. The ministry also noted that criminal activity is increasingly moving online.

According to the Money Laundering Prevention Centre, fraudsters attempted to obtain almost 11 million euros from Lithuanian residents and companies in the first quarter of this year alone. Financial institutions managed to protect nearly 7 million euros, but more than 4 million euros was stolen. Phishing accounted for more than 40% of recorded fraud cases.