A BBC investigation has revealed that a clandestine network funded by Russia is paying Moldovan citizens to spread disinformation and conduct a fake survey aimed at disrupting the September 28 parliamentary elections.
According to the Digital Forensic Research Lab (DFRLab), the network has amassed more than 55 million views and 2.2 million likes on TikTok since January. It reportedly maintains links to fugitive oligarch Ilan Shor and the NGO “Eurasia.”
BBC journalists, working undercover, discovered that the network offered payments to Moldovans willing to post pro-Russian propaganda and fake news designed to undermine the ruling Action and Solidarity Party (PAS). The undercover reporter, identified as Ana, joined 34 other recruits in secret online seminars to “train agents.”
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A coordinator based in the Transnistrian region promised Ana a monthly payment of 3,000 Moldovan lei, to be transferred via Promsvyazbank (PSB), a Russian state-owned bank under sanctions. Ana received instructions to publish false claims, including accusations that the government planned to falsify election results, that EU accession required turning Moldovans into LGBTQ+ individuals, and that President Maia Sandu was involved in child trafficking.
The investigation identified at least 90 TikTok accounts, some posing as news outlets, that have posted thousands of videos and gathered over 23 million views and 860,000 likes since January. DFRLab analysts believe the network’s real reach could be far greater.
Later, the undercover journalist received an offer of 200 lei per hour, in cash, to conduct unofficial surveys in Chisinau. Organizers instructed participants on how to subtly steer respondents’ answers toward certain candidates.
BBC also documented connections between the network, Ilan Shor, and Eurasia. Both Shor and Eurasia declined to respond to the outlet’s requests for comment.