Thousands of Moldovan citizens have fallen victim to a large-scale identity theft scheme after learning that microloans had been taken out in their names in Russia without their knowledge or consent. Victims only became aware of the fraud when they received debt collection notices from Russian microfinance institutions. The loans were typically issued online and required only a photo or scanned copy of a Moldovan passport, allowing fraudsters to bypass physical presence and thorough identity verification.
Authorities suspect that organized criminal groups in Russia are behind the scheme. Russian microfinance organizations—known for minimal identity checks—allegedly approved these loans quickly, making it easy for fraudsters to exploit stolen data.
Many victims report that interest and late-payment penalties accumulate rapidly, leading to debts amounting to tens of thousands of rubles, even though they never applied for or received any money.
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🔐 What Moldovan Citizens Should Know and Do
Moldovan law enforcement warns all citizens to be extremely cautious when handling and sharing personal identification data, particularly passport scans and other sensitive information.
👇 Recommendations:
- Never share personal documents or ID scans with unverified individuals, websites, or platforms.
- Regularly monitor your credit history and check for unknown debts.
- If you receive debt notices or suspect that you’ve been targeted, report the incident immediately to Moldovan police and consult a legal expert to protect your rights and prevent further harm.
Moldovan authorities are actively investigating cross-border fraud cases and coordinating their response with international partners. They emphasize the importance of public awareness, noting that early detection can minimize the impact of fraud and assist in identifying the criminal networks behind it.
If you need help verifying your credit record or reporting a case, contact your local police department or consult a legal advisor.