---
title: "Eight detained in Moldova for scams targeting US and Canada victims"
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/87111/eight-detained-in-moldova-for-scams-targeting-us-and-canada-victims
published: 2026-10-12T13:48:21Z
language: en
author: "Bogdan Nigai"
section: "Justice"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Eight detained in Moldova for scams targeting US and Canada victims

> Police have dismantled a criminal network in the Republic of Moldova that generated about $2 million a month through cryptocurrency scams. The group lured victims from the US and Canada to fake trading platforms via call centers. Authorities detained eight individuals after raids on October 9.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/c07ece25-c45b-41a7-b78b-57e84a9aab8e.jpg)

Police have dismantled a criminal network in the Republic of Moldova that generated about $2 million a month through cryptocurrency scams. The group lured victims from the US and Canada to fake trading platforms via call centers. Authorities detained eight individuals after raids on October 9.

According to the General Police Inspectorate (IGP), the investigation targets an organized criminal group suspected of fraud and money laundering. Law enforcement has preliminarily established the methods used to persuade victims to invest.

*"The suspects allegedly posed as investment experts and provided misleading or false information regarding profits and risks, inducing victims to transfer money into fraudulent investment schemes,"* the police stated.

The investigation focused on five call centers that reportedly operated within a hierarchically organized structure, with duties distributed among the participants.

Following the raids, police seized cash, mobile phones, computers, bank cards, accounting records, and other evidence.

The items discovered included equipment not typically associated with the operations of such centers.

*"Jamming devices and a polygraph used to test individuals recruited for the criminal activities were also found and seized,"* the IGP statement noted.

Preliminary information indicates that the revenue generated by a single call center reached approximately two million dollars per month. The total financial loss suffered by the victims has yet to be determined.

Dozens of individuals were reportedly involved in the group's activities, including citizens from Cameroon, India, Israel, Nigeria, Georgia, and Ukraine. Investigators have identified several categories of participants within the alleged scheme. "The individuals involved include those responsible for coordinating call center operations, recruiting staff, and managing the financial and accounting affairs of the companies used in the criminal activity," the police stated.

Officers from the National Investigation Inspectorate and the Bălți Police Inspectorate carried out the operation, with support from the "Fulger" special forces unit, as part of a criminal case initiated by the Bălți Municipal Prosecutor's Office.

The eight detained individuals were placed in pre-trial detention.

Investigators are continuing to identify everyone involved and determine the extent of the financial loss suffered by the victims.

[Video](https://www.youtube.com/embed/xy6MiIQ6ZIY)