As a result of searches carried out on Wednesday, February 1, in several districts of Moldova and penitentiary institutions in the country, mobile phones and SIM cards, draft entries and data on bank accounts, multiple electronic media, bank cards, tax receipts and other material means, which will serve as evidentiary support on criminal cases in which “members of a criminal group”, who allegedly blackmailed several people, are targeted.

According to a press release issued by the General Inspectorate of Police (IGP), officers of the Organized Crime Investigation Directorate of the National Investigation Inspectorate (INI), under the direction of the prosecutor of the Prosecutor’s Office for Combating Organized Crime and Special Cases (PCOCS), in mid-2022 identified information on “members of a criminal group”, detained in several prisons in Moldova, who allegedly organized a criminal scheme, by forming fake profiles on social networks, luring victims and extorting financial means.

“As a result of the actions carried out, on 30 August 2022, the members involved in the criminal scheme were established, who through blackmail extorted from thousands to tens of thousands of euros. Being investigated multilaterally the circumstances, additionally 18 cases have been identified, targeting persons aged from 18 to 60.

In order to carry out their criminal intentions, the suspects, according to a well-thought-out plan, created various fake profiles on social networks, lured people, especially women, and then through communication and promises obtained intimate photos and videos,” IGP notes.

Afterwards, according to law enforcement officers, the victims were blackmailed into sending money ranging from €1 500 to €10 000, otherwise the private images would be spread on social networks.

“According to the results of the special investigative measures and criminal prosecution actions, relevant evidence has been accumulated on the involvement in illicit activities of the documented criminal group, the leaders of which are serving their sentences in penitentiaries No. 2 “Lipcani”, No. 6 “Soroca” and No. 11 “Balti”, having as accomplices several persons domiciled in different districts of the country. Therefore, the method of committing the crime of extortion was established, namely, the inmates, through their accomplices, illegally possessing mobile phones with internet access in the prison cells, organized, directed and extorted money from the victims,” the IGP statement added.

At the direction of the members of the criminal group, the money obtained would be transferred by the potential victims to bank accounts belonging to persons at large. The money was deposited in the accounts of the perpetrators, who then managed the money through web banking applications, IGP representatives said.

The investigation also revealed that the alleged organiser of the blackmail had previously been investigated for similar actions.

If the guilt of the suspects is proved, they risk a prison sentence of 7 to 10 years with a fine of 92 500 to 117 500 lei.

“At the moment, the prosecution body is assessing the evidence gathered and will decide on the procedural status of the suspects. Investigations on the case are continuing in order to establish all the circumstances, as well as to identify other persons who suffered as a result of the criminal group’s illicit activities,” according to the IGP.

The raids were conducted by officers of the Organized Crime Investigation Directorate of the INI jointly with criminal prosecution officers of the General Directorate of Criminal Prosecution, under the direction of the PCCOCS, with the support of employees of the Regional Directorate “North” of the INI, the National Administration of Penitentiaries, BPDS “Lightning” and DDS “Panther”.