---
title: "Moldova prosecutes Ukrainian man in €178,500 fake psychic scam"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/83426/moldova-prosecutes-ukrainian-man-in-178-500-fake-psychic-scam
published: 2026-08-19T15:08:21Z
language: en
author: "Ana Cebotari"
section: "Justice"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Moldova prosecutes Ukrainian man in €178,500 fake psychic scam

> Moldova’s Special Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (PCCOCS) has indicted a 38-year-old Ukrainian national residing in Chișinău for his role in an organized fraud scheme that swindled a 53-year-old woman out of over €178,500 (approx. 3.5 million MDL).

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/dfae2ccd-313b-4177-a4ec-86d2fa9e13b9.jpg)

Moldova’s Special Prosecutor’s Office for Organized Crime (PCCOCS) has indicted a 38-year-old Ukrainian national residing in Chișinău for his role in an organized fraud scheme that swindled a 53-year-old woman out of over €178,500 (approx. 3.5 million MDL).

The suspect allegedly acted as a courier, collecting large cash payments directly from the victim.

**Elaborate manipulation via messaging apps**

The fraudulent scheme began in October 2025 when a call center operator contacted the victim, posing as the secretary of a renowned psychic who had allegedly won the Russian television show Psychic Challenge (Битва экстрасенсов).

The scammers then arranged a video call via WhatsApp between the victim and the alleged psychic.

During the call, the fraudster convinced the woman that her family was under a severe occult curse that would soon lead to tragic events unless immediate esoteric interventions were performed.

**Extortion in ten separate installments**

To break the alleged curse, the victim initially transferred €250. Over October and November 2025, she was coerced into sending more than ten separate installments, totaling over €178,500 in both wire transfers and direct cash handovers.

Some transfers occurred late at night, including one at 3:00 AM. In one instance, when collecting cash in person, the fraudsters claimed the funds would be used to build a church in Russia.

**Suspect detained and assets frozen**

Law enforcement officers have placed the Ukrainian suspect in pre-trial detention and seized assets valued at approximately €102,000 (2 million MDL). If convicted, he faces between 8 and 15 years in prison.

The investigation into other members of the criminal network remains ongoing.

Authorities advise the public to hang up immediately on unsolicited calls requesting money or personal information. Citizens are urged never to share financial details or send funds to unknown individuals, regardless of the organization they claim to represent.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**