Foreign national accused of scamming €58,000 from Lithuanian residents

A foreign citizen is facing trial in Šiauliai on charges of defrauding two women out of €58,000 in an organised scam, prosecutors announced on Monday.

According to the Šiauliai District Prosecutor’s Office, the suspect—acting with unidentified accomplices—posed as employees of telecom companies, banks, and police officers in phone calls to the victims last December. He convinced both women to disclose their payment card PINs and hand over their cards, which he then used to withdraw cash and make purchases at gas stations, shops, and entertainment venues across Šiauliai.

One victim lost €30,809, while the other was defrauded of €26,990. During a search, authorities recovered €700 in cash and the victims’ payment cards. The seized money has been temporarily frozen by court order.

The suspect, who has no assets and resides in social housing, is in Lithuania illegally after his residence permit expired. A judge has remanded him in custody at the prosecutor’s request.