Beware of telephone fraud !

Protecting citizens against deceptive practices and ensuring information security are fundamental priorities in the current context. Loteria Națională a Moldovei (LNM) informs the public about the emergence of new telephone fraud schemes. These practices have recently been reported and analyzed in the public sphere by experts in personal data protection.

As a public entity, LNM aims to ensure that citizens are properly informed about the methods used by unauthorized operators and to emphasize the importance of protecting sensitive personal data.

According to the analyzed information, targeted individuals are contacted by phone and falsely informed that they have won certain material prizes. To create the appearance of legitimacy, callers refer to various standard procedures or legal requirements, such as the obligation to confirm the recipient’s legal age in order to validate specific categories of prizes.

The fraudulent procedure is generally carried out through the following stages:

• Initial approach: Informing the individual about a fictitious prize in order to capture their attention and initiate the conversation.
• Data collection: Requesting personal information such as date of birth (day, month, year) and full identity details under the pretext of correctly registering the beneficiary’s information.
• Validation pressure: Conditioning the release of the alleged prize on the accuracy of the information provided. The caller usually states that the data will later be physically verified against the identity document upon delivery and that any discrepancy will result in the cancellation of the prize procedure.

Identity masking through “Spoofing” technology

To avoid identification and increase the credibility of the call, unauthorized individuals use a technical method known as “Spoofing.”

This technology involves the use of digital communication networks (Voice over IP) to conceal the real phone number from which the call is made. As a result, the recipient’s device may display a local phone number or even the name of a legitimate institution, although the call itself may originate from outside the national jurisdiction. This technical procedure is designed solely to mislead the recipient and facilitate the collection of targeted information.

LNM recommends that citizens exercise maximum caution when handling personal data and avoid disclosing such information during unsolicited phone calls. Verifying the source and authenticity of the information received is an essential precautionary measure.

Loteria Națională a Moldovei reaffirms its commitment to maintaining a high level of transparency and ensuring a safe and reliable information environment. All official information regarding the institution’s activities and campaigns is and will continue to be communicated exclusively through authorized channels, namely the official website lnm.md and official press releases.