State Police Refuse to Open Criminal Case for Investment Fraud in Ogre
An Ogre resident was defrauded of approximately 1,000 euros, but police refuse to open a case, citing civil legal relations. Experts and the public criticise the decision for its inconsistency.
Police Refuse to Initiate Case for Investment Fraud — 1,000 Euros Lost
Google News LV — Crime draws attention to a case in which an Ogre resident lost approximately one thousand euros as a result of investment fraud, but the State Police have refused to initiate a criminal case, classifying the incident as civil legal relations.
A resident of Ogre contacted the editorial team of the programme "Without Taboo" and informed them that the problem had affected a close person. Believing promises of easy and large profits, the victim transferred money to individuals who claimed to represent an investment platform. It turned out they were fraudsters.
How the Fraud Scheme Operated
The victim willingly entered personal data on the website "Improve Your Financial Situation". He was then instructed by telephone, using WhatsApp, to carry out purchases and sales, simulating real transactions with supposedly growing profits. The bank account to which the money was transferred was registered in Lithuania.
An inspector from the State Police Pierīga East District in Ogre decided to refuse to initiate a criminal case. According to the police's explanation, the claimant had voluntarily provided the data and transferred the money, and civil legal relations could be identified in what had occurred. The claimant did not use the right to appeal the decision.
Ogre Resident: This Contradicts Other Cases
The resident of Ogre, who helped the close person gather evidence and write a complaint, does not deny that the victim acted recklessly. However, he emphasises that fraud victims almost always provide data, access to accounts, or transfer money themselves, as this is how fraud schemes operate. In his view, the refusal to initiate a criminal case in this instance contradicts many similar cases in which police do initiate criminal proceedings, even though the victims acted equally recklessly.
"It turns out that people are to blame themselves — we stop reporting and bothering the police!" the Ogre resident commented on the situation.
Technology Expert: Refusal is Absolutely Unfounded
Technology expert Elviss Strazdiņš acknowledges that such cases undermine public confidence in the police. "Many victims approach us asking — is it worth contacting the police? We always say — yes, absolutely do so! Refusing to open a case is absolutely unfounded," said Strazdiņš. He also points out that in modern fraud schemes, transaction confirmation with Smart-ID or other means is an integral part of the scheme: "Then you could say that in any scheme a person has confirmed the transaction and is to blame themselves — well, no."
In the victim's case, the question remains unanswered — in what way does this case fundamentally differ from thousands of other investment fraud cases in which criminal proceedings are initiated.
Source: Google News LV — Crime (lv)