Vilnius investigators win detective award for exposing phone scam network

Vilnius criminal police officers won Lithuania’s 2026 Detective of the Year competition after uncovering an international phone fraud network that caused millions of euros in potential losses, LRT reported, citing the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau.

Investigators traced the network across several countries with help from international partners. They identified the organisers’ roles, dismantled scam call centres operating in Ukraine, arrested suspects and stopped the criminal activity, the bureau said.

The top award went to Bogdan Milevskij, head of the First Division of the Vilnius County Police Headquarters’ Criminal Police Property Crime Investigation Board. He received a symbolic Sherlock Holmes pipe, the competition’s emblem.

Officers from the Klaipėda County Police Headquarters took second place for investigating a tax evasion scheme involving several companies and dozens of people. Police carried out more than 50 searches, identified 13 possible suspects and detained four people. They also seized about 400,000 euros in cash.

Third place went to officers from the Telšiai County Police Headquarters, who uncovered a drug distribution network allegedly directed from correctional facilities. Police conducted 57 searches. Twelve people were suspected of drug distribution, six of possessing very large quantities of drugs, and three of unlawful deprivation of liberty and drug theft.

The results were announced and the awards presented during an event marking the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau’s 25th anniversary. The bureau also named its most significant investigation: an operation led by its officers with international partners that uncovered one of Europe’s largest organised drug supply networks.