Cybercrime is on the rise in Romania

Computer-related crimes are on the rise in Romania. In Mures county, for example, in the first nine months of this year more than 450 criminal cases have been opened, more than 100 more than last year. Most of the cases involve fraud and fraudulent financial transactions, but no offenders have been caught so far, as RRA correspondent Marcela German reports.

Reporter: Police officers in Mures are warning that online investment scams involve promoting quick wins.

Chief Commissioner Catalin Radulescu: The messages or advertisements may promote business investments, stock exchange shares, cryptocurrencies, NFTs or any other types of investments. They may be in the form of get-rich-quick offers or exclusive products or services available for a limited time. After providing their contact details, the victims are contacted by telephone by unknown persons claiming to be specialists in the field. After repeated discussions, the perpetrators usually succeed in convincing the victims to initiate the transfer by falsely presenting the advantages and safety of the process.

Another common form of fraud is taking out online loans in the name of the victims and then embezzling the money. Most complaints have come from Targu Mures, and the damage can reach up to €50.000.

Investigations in these cases are lengthy, and so far no perpetrators have been caught in Mures. The most important preventative measure for people is to inform themselves before acting on requests they receive online.

Translated by: Radu Matei