National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology of the Republic of Moldova

According to data reported to the National Regulatory Agency for Electronic Communications and Information Technology (ANRCETI) by mobile voice providers, the number of fraudulent calls increased considerably in 2022. Whereas in 2021 providers registered a total number of 1,404,864 fraudulent calls received by end users, the number was estimated at 2,247,484 calls in 2022, which is increased by 842,620 (60%).

Of the total fraudulent calls registered in 2022, only 1,267 cases were reported by users, and in 28,110 cases, users answered/redialed those phone numbers. The total cost of answering calls to the fraudulent caller was 24,015 thousand lei.

These types of calls are initiated by fraudsters, internationally, by using automated systems, in order to reach a large number of end users. By redialing these numbers, the user may be charged international rates or Premium rates.

In this context, ANRCETI calls on mobile voice users to be cautious, to ignore such calls, as well as suspicious messages asking to access dubious links or call unknown phone numbers. This will help avoid considerable unjustified expenses. They are requested to notify the provider by calling the operator's Customer Support.