--- title: "Scammers pressure homeowners to sell and hand over proceeds " url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/88836/scammers-pressure-homeowners-to-sell-and-hand-over-proceeds published: 2026-11-02T11:43:00Z language: en author: "Gabriela Melnic" section: "Social" source: radiomoldova.md --- # Scammers pressure homeowners to sell and hand over proceeds > Scammers are pressuring homeowners in Moldova to sell their apartments and hand over the proceeds, posing as police officers or security officials, real estate representatives warn. ![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/79fac099-f6f8-4261-bf6c-4f400626f281.jpg) Scammers are pressuring homeowners in Moldova to sell their apartments and hand over the proceeds, posing as police officers or security officials, real estate representatives warn. **How the scam works** Victims receive phone calls from people claiming to represent the police, the Information and Security Service (SIS) or other state institutions. They are told that their properties are at risk. Under the pretext of protecting their assets, victims are persuaded to sell their apartments urgently and hand the proceeds to a courier or transfer them into a so-called *“safe account.”* The scheme affects not only manipulated homeowners, who risk losing both their properties and their money, but also buyers who pay for apartments and subsequently find themselves unable to take possession of them. Real estate professionals say such cases have already been reported in the Republic of Moldova. *“I already know of more than 20 cases involving real estate agencies. But many other cases take place outside agencies, directly between buyers and property owners,”* real estate agent and Union of Real Estate Agencies member Andrian Toderașcu told Teleradio-Moldova. According to Toderașcu, while fraudsters previously focused mainly on bank card scams, they are now exploiting property transactions to obtain substantial sums of money. **Agent involved in two such transactions** Homeowners are intimidated with claims that loans have been taken out in their names or that attempts have been made to transfer ownership of their properties. They are then persuaded that selling their homes immediately is the only way to protect their assets and savings. *“Previously, they made phone calls and used card fraud schemes. Now they scare people by telling them their property is in danger. Then they convince them to sell their homes urgently and hand the money to a courier or transfer it into a so-called safe account. There are already many such cases,”* the real estate agent said. Toderașcu said the targets include, in particular, people who live alone and speak Russian. According to him, fraudsters identify vulnerable individuals and construct convincing scenarios to pressure them into acting without verifying the information they receive. The agent said he had personally encountered such situations in his professional activity. He described two cases in the Râșcani district of Chișinău, in which two women sold their apartments through his agency. Nothing appeared suspicious when the transactions were completed. Problems emerged later, when the apartments were supposed to be vacated and handed over to their new owners. *“There are two cases in Râșcani. Two women sold these properties through me, and nothing seemed suspicious. The problems arose when the apartments had to be vacated. Even people with legal training... I cannot know what someone does after a transaction. At the time of the sale, they give you entirely different reasons or have been manipulated in such a way,”* Toderașcu said. **Sellers lose their homes, buyers cannot move in** It is difficult for a real estate professional to identify from the outset whether a property owner is acting on instructions from outside parties, particularly when the seller gives seemingly ordinary reasons for wanting to sell. Buyers also face serious consequences. Although they pay for the properties and complete the transactions, they may subsequently find themselves unable to move into their new homes. As a result, both manipulated homeowners and buyers risk financial losses and lengthy disputes over properties that have already been sold. *“We genuinely feel sorry for the people who have lost their money, but the consequences also affect buyers who have paid for their homes and cannot move in. Suspicions also arise regarding real estate agencies and notaries. I believe each of these actions must be examined separately, based on concrete facts and evidence,”* the Union of Real Estate Agencies member said. One of the clearest warning signs of a potential scam is an unsolicited phone call in which an unknown person tells a homeowner that their property is in danger and urges them to sell it as quickly as possible. Pressure to make an immediate decision, demands for secrecy and instructions to hand money to a courier or transfer it into a so-called safe account should also raise suspicions. Anyone receiving such a call should end the conversation and independently verify the information by contacting the institution concerned through its official phone number. Suspected or ongoing fraud should be reported to the police. **Do not sell your property under pressure** The Union of Real Estate Agencies advises homeowners not to sell their properties, take out loans or hand over money at the request of people who contact them by phone. People are urged to consult someone they trust and avoid making decisions under pressure. If a caller recommends a particular real estate agent or notary, the identity of that person and their alleged connection to the institution mentioned in the call should be independently verified. The real estate agent also advises industry professionals to document every stage of a transaction carefully. They should retain correspondence with clients, agreements on prices and commissions, payment confirmations and property handover documents. Agents should also record who contacted their agency and how that person obtained the homeowner's contact details. Particular attention should be paid to urgent transactions and situations in which property owners appear frightened or give unusual explanations for selling. Agents are advised to ask directly whether the owner is acting on someone else's instructions or has been promised that the apartment will be returned after the sale. If such circumstances arise, the transaction should be suspended and the authorities notified. Anyone who has already handed over money following such requests should immediately contact their bank and the police. If a fraud attempt is underway, citizens should call the single emergency number, 112. **Fraud losses exceed 272 million lei in 2025** Telephone and online scams have increased in scale in the Republic of Moldova in recent years, causing mounting financial losses. According to figures presented by the General Police Inspectorate (IGP) to Parliament, victims reported losses exceeding 272 million Moldovan lei in 2025, more than twice the amount recorded in 2024, when losses surpassed 130 million lei. In the first five months of 2026, estimated losses had already reached 157 million lei. Among the most widespread methods are phone calls from criminals posing as bank employees, police officers or representatives of other state institutions. Fraudsters also use fake investment platforms, including cryptocurrency schemes, to promise quick profits. Under the pretext of protecting people's savings or preventing financial fraud, victims are persuaded to disclose banking details, take out loans, transfer money into accounts controlled by criminals or hand cash to couriers. 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