Police detained eight people in a case involving a call-center network that allegedly defrauded victims through fake cryptocurrency investments

Eight people were detained and placed in a pretrial detention facility in a case handled by the Bălți Municipal Prosecutor’s Office, concerning alleged acts of fraud and money laundering committed by an organized criminal group. According to investigators, they allegedly defrauded citizens of the United States of America and Canada.

Investigators conducted searches at several locations and seized money, mobile phones, computers, processors, data storage devices, bank cards, and accounting and corporate documents. Among the items found were devices intended for jamming and a polygraph that investigators claim was used to test people recruited for criminal activities.

According to preliminary information presented by the police, the group allegedly operated five call centers, one of which reportedly generated approximately two million dollars per month from criminal activity. The network allegedly had a hierarchical structure, with people responsible for coordinating the centers, recruiting employees, and managing the financial and accounting affairs of the companies involved.

Dozens of people were allegedly involved in the scheme, including citizens of Cameroon, India, Israel, Nigeria, Georgia, and Ukraine. The suspects allegedly presented themselves as investment experts and provided false information about the profits and risks of cryptocurrency transactions, persuading victims to transfer money to fraudulent schemes. The checks were carried out with the support of the migration authorities and international police cooperation structures.