Scammers defraud Estonians of €13.2 million in six months
Estonian police recorded 1,816 reports of phone and online fraud in the first half of the year, with victims losing €13.2 million. Authorities highlight multi-stage phone schemes and fake investment platforms as the most common tactics.
The number of fraud reports continues to rise in Estonia, according to the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA). In the first six months, 1,816 phone and internet scam cases were filed, and scammers managed to swindle residents out of €13.2 million. Jaagup Toompuu, head of the PPA’s Fraud Prevention and Investigation Centre, says call volumes are growing, and many people still fall for the same tricks as a year ago.
More than half of the cases involve multi-stage phone scams. A typical scenario: the victim receives a call about a package, for instance from Tartu County Court, and is asked to confirm an action. No PIN is requested, but a confirmation code is sent. Shortly after, another caller posing as the bank’s security department asks if personal details were entered. Then, a fake police officer claims an operation is underway. Scammers may take remote control of the victim’s device or send a courier to collect money.
Investment fraud is another common type. Fake websites and news articles use the images of famous Estonians, including composer Arvo Pärt, politician Helle-Moonika Helme, former deputy police chief Koit Pikaro, and rally driver Ott Tänak. Victims enter their own details on these sites, then an “investment broker” guides them to transfer money. Initial deposits are usually around €250, after which they are urged to take loans to invest more.
Toompuu notes that investment scams can last for months, ending only when the victim runs out of money or attempts to withdraw funds. After losing money, some victims search online for recovery services and come across sponsored posts from law firms or self-proclaimed ethical hackers. These demand additional fees, leading to a second round of fraud.
Fraudsters do not know in advance how much they might get; some victims lose as little as €40, while corporate scams may yield millions. Anyone who suspects fraud should immediately call their bank to block cards and accounts, disable electronic identification, and only then contact the police. Toompuu stresses that police never conduct operations via WhatsApp video calls.
