Using various communication channels, scammers have defrauded residents of Latvia of around €10 million so far this year, according to information from the State Police.

In the first half of this year, law enforcement authorities recorded 3,493 fraud cases, an increase of 1,533 cases compared to the same period last year. In 1,444 of these cases, scammers inflicted real financial losses on their victims, totaling nearly €10 million – €1.5 million more than in the first half of 2023.

Scammers employ a range of tactics, including posing as representatives of institutions or banks, relatives, or service providers. Their goal is to trick victims into revealing personal or financial information, transferring money, or installing malware on their devices – often under pressure to act quickly.

People often respond impulsively, believing fabricated stories about accidents, blocked bank accounts, or urgent situations. In such cases, a single ill-considered action can lead to significant financial loss.

Voice call fraud was the most common type of scam in the first six months of this year. The State Police recorded 2,417 such cases, involving over €5 million in losses and affecting 674 individuals.

Other types of fraud are also on the rise. This year, the State Police have registered 155 cases of investment fraud, resulting in losses of more than €2.6 million. Fraudsters continually adapt their tactics, often sending fake text messages about “fines,” “incomplete payments,” or “invoice notifications.” In the first half of the year alone, these messages caused losses of €500,000 for 328 citizens.

“Scammers use a variety of communication platforms, psychological manipulation, and digital tools. You have to be very careful nowadays because this is only going to evolve,” State Police Chief Armands Ruks told reporters on Tuesday at the launch of the awareness campaign “____ Way to Lose Money!”

Source: BNS

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