Woman from Šiauliai to stand trial over alleged €33,000 fraud

A woman from Šiauliai will stand trial after allegedly defrauding two Klaipėda residents of more than €33,000 together with unidentified accomplices, LRT reported, citing the prosecution service. She also allegedly attempted to obtain €3,500 from another resident.

According to the pre-trial investigation, callers contacted residents last October while posing as telecommunications company employees, bank staff or police officers. They told the victims that suspicious transactions were taking place in their accounts or that attempts were being made to steal their money.

One Klaipėda resident disclosed his bank card PIN and online banking login details after believing the callers. He also handed his bank card to a woman who came to his home claiming to be a police officer. The defendant in the case was arrested by police on a motorway later that day.

Investigators suspect that her accomplices used the online banking details to transfer €19,500 from the victim’s account in several transactions.

A few days later, another Klaipėda family was allegedly deceived in a similar way. The callers convinced the husband that someone was attempting to withdraw money from his bank account.

In another case, a Klaipėda resident was persuaded to install software on his phone that allowed the device to be monitored and controlled remotely. People posing as a bank security employee and a police officer then told him that others were trying to take his money.

Following their instructions, the man withdrew €3,500 from a bank and was supposed to hand it to a person who would arrive at his home. Investigators say the defendant came to collect the money but did not receive it.

After the victim called the emergency number 112, the accomplices who allegedly had remote access to his phone noticed this and instructed the defendant to leave. The victim’s phone was later locked remotely.

The woman from Šiauliai is charged with fraud and attempted fraud, impersonating a public official, unlawful possession of electronic payment instruments and their data, and unlawful access to information systems. The case has been transferred to the Klaipėda Chamber of the Klaipėda District Court.