Young man arrested in Märjamaa for acting as courier in fraud scheme
A 23-year-old Estonian man was detained in connection with phone scams in which he acted as a courier. He drove to multiple towns, collected victims' bank cards from parcel lockers and withdrew cash. The total damage caused to victims amounts to nearly 50,000 euros.
Young man arrested in Märjamaa for acting as courier in fraud scheme
In early June, officials in Märjamaa detained a 23-year-old Estonian man suspected of involvement in a scheme in which he delivered money obtained by fraudsters from victims. The incidents took place between 27 April and 25 May, and eight such cases are currently known.
The young man's role consisted of driving to parcel lockers across Estonia, where he collected bank cards from defrauded victims. He then withdrew cash from ATMs using these cards. One incident occurred in late April in Võru, when a 72-year-old woman received a call in which she was given the impression that a registered letter was being sent to her. Later, someone posing as a bank employee called and persuaded the woman to withdraw cash and place it along with her bank card in a storage facility near a shopping centre. The courier was given an access code, which he used to gain access to an envelope containing 3,500 euros and the bank card. Subsequently, a further 3,400 euros was withdrawn using that card.
In total, victims have lost nearly 50,000 euros due to the young man's actions. The total amount defrauded through the entire group currently amounts to over 140,000 euros according to available information.
Rain Vosman, head of the Criminal Bureau of the South Prefecture, noted that the young man found his way into such activity through social media, which is one of the main places where people are recruited into such schemes. Vosman warned that young people can easily succumb to the temptation to earn quick money, but they are the easiest participants in such schemes to catch. "Sooner or later it ends in getting caught," he said.
According to prosecutor Evelin Etsi, it would be dangerous to release the man, as he could continue causing harm. The court agreed and remanded him in custody for two months. Etsi explained that the man participated in a carefully planned scheme over a short period, driving a rental car across the country, collecting bank cards from victims from parcel lockers and immediately withdrawing cash from them. He was indifferent to the harm caused to others or to the possibility of being caught; his sole aim was to make easy profit at the expense of victims.
Police urge anyone who has suffered harm due to this man's actions to contact them at [email protected].
Source: Lõuna-Eesti Postimees
Source: Google News EE — Crime (et)