The analysis revealed how many euros were defrauded by fraudsters from the country’s residents | Business

Although April – June fraudsters attempted to defraud 8.3 million EUR, but the total real losses experienced by residents and companies amounted to 4.1 million. Eur, since financial institutions stopped 38 percent. would try to extort funds. You can get acquainted with the analysis here.

Compared to the first quarter of the year, the amount of protected funds was higher in April-June. It is estimated that financial institutions stopped over 3.4 million EUR would try to extort funds, when in the last quarter – about 3 mln. Eur. Another 730 thousand Euros already transferred to fraudsters were returned – that is, 3 times more than in January – March.

Although, compared to the first quarter, in the second quarter of this year, financial institutions recorded 425 fewer fraud cases and their total number reached 3.3 thousand, but the losses suffered by residents and companies increased from 3.7 million, respectively. EUR 4.1 million in the first quarter. Eur – the second.

Investment fraud continues to bring the biggest losses to the population. In the second quarter of the year, compared to the first, a lower number of incidents was recorded – 378 and 551, respectively, but the amount of transferred funds grew from 1.6 million. in the first quarter to 1.7 million Eur in the second quarter. The dynamics of these indicators led to the fact that in the second quarter, the average defrauded amount increased by EUR 1,300 and reached EUR 4,500.

Statistics for the second quarter also indicate a “renaissance” of phone fraud schemes. April – June financial institutions recorded 124 cases, compared to 29 in the first quarter of the year, and the amount of defrauded funds jumped from 80,000. to almost 700 thousand Eur.

“Fraudsters are looking for a variety of ways to trick people into giving up their money, and it won’t necessarily involve new or unheard of methods. The return of phone fraud schemes shows that fraudsters tend to “recycle” or revive previously used tactics, only the narrative changes – this year residents are attacked by calls from fraudsters pretending to be Google, Meta or bank representatives. After receiving information about this scheme from financial institutions, back in April. we promptly informed the public, additionally, both the police and financial institutions remind us of this,” says Eglė Lukošienė, head of the Money Laundering Prevention Competence Center.

However, according to the head of the Center, both the statistical indicators of this typology of fraud and the intensive prevention efforts of different institutions show that it is necessary to remind again of the basic rule of personal and financial data protection – to critically assess the caller’s goals, the story being told and not to disclose sensitive data to strangers.

The Center once again draws attention and emphasizes that state institutions, financial institutions, the police never ask residents to provide internet banking login details, send cards with PIN codes, etc.

In the second quarter, domestic companies also did not avoid losses due to the activity of fraudsters – just because of e-mail correspondence. mail interception companies lost about 1 million Eur., similar to the same amount as in 2024. in the first quarter. When evaluating all typologies of fraud based on defrauded funds, this ranks second after investment fraud.

Using this method, fraudsters pretend to be already existing business partners of the company, send fake invoices, notify about a supposedly changed account number or urgent orders. Although such cases are not frequent (14 in the second quarter of 2024, 23 in the first), the financial losses for the company can be significant.

The Money Laundering Prevention Competence Center reminds that, in order to achieve effective prevention, companies should tighten internal procedures. They must have clear rules on when and how payees’ bank details can be changed, large payments can be authorized, and make sure they have a double verification process, etc.

If you suspect that you are dealing with or have been victimized by fraudsters, it is important to contact your bank as soon as possible so that security measures are taken, and to inform the police by calling 112.