VIDEO // Expert says Russia massively collecting personal data, to be used in scam schemes

The Russian Federation is extensively collecting and using the personal data of Moldova’s citizens, in order to fuel scam networks and hybrid warfare operations, according to Andrei Curararu, an expert with the WatchDog community. He says that recent information got by Moldovan authorities shows that Russian special services have access to databases that were stolen or illegally collected, later used for fraud and manipulation.

“The Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) got information indicating that the FSB (Federal security Service) gained access to a number of private databases sold illegally on the dark web, databases extracted by hacking private servers, as well as the database collected by the Shor organized criminal group in recent years, which contains about 145,000 citizens who provided their personal data. This is an operation aimed at enhancing the anxiety and dissatisfaction among the population, undermining trust in state institutions and amplifying the feeling of insecurity. All this is part of the hybrid war waged against the citizens of Moldova,” Curararu said.

The expert drew attention to the size of the illegal personal-data market and how such data is traded online.

“On social networks, tens of thousands of apps are promoted that request access to your personal data. Whether they promise to predict your future, turn your photo into a caricature, or offer you free games, many of them end up selling this data to scammers. Apparently, some of these networks have links to the Russian Federation. On the illegal online market, a customer database can cost from a few hundred to over 10,000 dollars, depending on the size and the type of information. Simple data, such as name, phone number and email address are cheap, but the full identities containing financial or medical data can be worth between 20 and 300 dollars per person,” he said.

According to Curararu, the scale of the phenomenon is alarming. Official data show a significant increase in the number of fraud cases and the losses suffered by citizens.

“In 2024, mobile phone users of Moldova received approximately 2.4 million fraudulent calls, almost 150 percent more than in the previous year. In 2025, the Police registered 1,760 cases of online fraud, with damages of 211 million lei, almost three times higher than in 2024. In just three days in May 2026, the authorities reported 68 cases and losses of over eight million lei,” the expert noted.

Andrei Curararu also described the mechanism used by scammers, in order to obtain money from victims.

“The scheme is already known. Someone calls and claims to be from a bank, the Police, SIS, or the National Bank. They talk about a compromised account, a suspicious transaction or an urgent threat. The victim is pressured not to verify the information, not to hang up and to act immediately. Then the rest of the network comes into play: couriers who pick up the cash, people who convert the money into cryptocurrencies and channels through which the funds are further transferred,” he explained.

The expert also referred to investigations published in the Russian press, showing the existence of fraudulent call centers operating even inside penitentiaries.

“The Russian press wrote that a major banking group requested searches after identifying fraudulent calls that led back to prisons. Following the raids, phones, SIM cards, internet connection equipment and other devices used in such operations were found. Reports say up to 50 people involved and about 20,000 calls per week. Such systems do not function without internal complicity. They have now set their sights on Moldova too. This is a criminal infrastructure grown in a system where the line between prisons, the mafia and special services has disappeared and is being used against us,” Curararu said.

In the context, the expert urged citizens to be cautious and not to disclose personal data over the phone.

“Do not provide codes, passwords, banking details or money over the phone. Hang up and call the institution using its official number. But responsibility cannot rest only with the victims. Operators must flag suspicious calls, block number spoofing, and offer default protection against fraudulent calls. Banks must separately verify large and unusual transfers and have warning mechanisms before important money transfers are made. If scammers work in an organized way, then the defense must also be organized,” Andrei Curararu concluded.

The Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) announces that the personal data of Moldova’s citizens was being massively collected by the special services of the Russian Federation for use in fraud operations. The institution has got information to this effect.

According to SIS, the data is collected through various methods, such as: private databases sold illegally on the Dark Web, databases extracted illegally by hacking private servers, as well as the database collected by the Shor organized criminal group in recent years, which contains about 145,000 citizens who provided their personal data.