Lawmen have detained two men suspected of blackmailing a woman from whom they demanded two million euros. The third suspect is cooperating and is being investigated at large. According to the police, the coordinator of the criminal group is 53 years old and a family friend of the blackmailed woman. He has recruited two other men, all three from Chisinau, who are on trial for theft and fraud.

They sent the woman messages by phone or in writing, delivered to her backyard or to the grave of her husband, who died in 2014. The messages contained threats to kill the victim, by setting off a grenade or by strangulation, as well as threats to kill her daughter, who is abroad.

“The three made sure that the woman did not find out that one of them was her own family friend, and in communicating with her they also made up a reason for demanding money.

Thus, the author of the messages delivered by the other suspect was communicating on behalf of the leader that he had served his sentence in prison in place of her deceased husband for a crime committed jointly with him, but would not have received his share of the illicit income, which he was now claiming from her,” according to law enforcement officials.

The suspects were reported to authorities in 2021 by the blackmailed woman.

“The authorities took the necessary measures, which revealed the identity of the members of the criminal group, despite their precautions and active efforts to divert investigative trails. Following the arrest of the family friend, the leader of the criminal group and the author of the text messages, the PCCOCS prosecutors are to decide on the need to apply preventive arrest against them,” the police announced.

Investigations are also continuing into the third member, who is being investigated at large and was responsible for delivering the threatening messages.

The police note that until the case is sent to court and a final decision is made on the case, the suspects are presumed innocent according to the law and protective measures have been applied to the victim.