Parliament speaker says phone scams coordinated from outside Moldova; authorities consider solutions to identify fraudulent calls

The authorities are stepping up measures to combat phone and online scams, including by examining technological solutions that would allow the identification of fraudulent calls coming from outside Moldova. Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu has made statements to this effect. He specified that the issue was being examined by a special commission and that state institutions were already taking action to curb the phenomenon.

According to the speaker, one of the solutions under discussion is the implementation of IT programmes by mobile operators that would allow the identification of suspicious calls.

"Mobile phone operators can implement software that would allow us to see very clearly that the call is fraudulent and does not originate from here. This is the trick: these schemes are cross-border; they operate from outside our territory, but also have local accomplices," Igor Grosu said.

The official recalled that the government had recently approved new measures to increase communications security and the authorities have been for more time promoting stricter rules regarding the identification of prepaid SIM card users.

In the context, Igor Grosu referred to information recently presented by the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS), according to which databases containing information about citizens have allegedly ended up in the possession of groups that use them on fraudulent purposes.

"The SIS issued a statement yesterday. It seems that a large database, built over time by the Shor criminal group, ended up in the wrong hands or was sold. This data is monetized and used in various fraud schemes," the parliament speaker said.

The speaker called on political leaders, public figures and opinion makers to help inform the population about the risks of phone scams.

"All those who have credibility and an audience must speak about these dangers. Citizens need to verify information, contact their relatives and not provide personal data or money following suspicious calls," Grosu said.

He emphasized that many fraudulent schemes were based on the false invocation of public or financial institutions.

"The National Bank does not call citizens for such situations. If someone presents themselves as a representative of an institution and asks for banking information or money transfers, people must immediately verify the authenticity of the call," the official warned.

Finally, Igor Grosu urged citizens to show vigilance and critical thinking in the face of fraud attempts.

"Hang up the call, verify the information, call official numbers or dial 112. We cannot put a police officer next to every citizen, so it is important to develop a culture of caution and an immunity to such scams," the parliament speaker concluded.

Prepaid SIM and eSIM cards will be able to be activated only by confirming the user's identity on the basis of an identity document. At the same time, the measure does not limit citizens' access to mobile telephony services – the sale of SIM cards will remain unrestricted. The decision was approved by the government, in order to prevent fraud, scams and other abuses committed through the anonymous use of phone numbers.