Crime
AI
Estonia Launches Crackdown on Scams After Citizens Lose €29 Million
Estonia's Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs have initiated a joint plan, including a new specialized police unit, to dismantle criminal networks responsible for defrauding residents of at least 29 million euros in the previous year.
- —Estonia's Ministries of Justice and Internal Affairs have signed an interdepartmental cooperation plan to combat fraud and online scams, aiming to strengthen collaboration in legislation, crime fighting, and digital development.
- —A new specialized unit will be established within the Central Criminal Police to focus on dismantling criminal networks involved in widespread fraud targeting Estonian residents.
- —The joint plan includes 14 priority areas, such as accelerating the confiscation of illegally obtained assets, creating a unified portal for minor offense cases, and improving victim support.
- —In the previous year, Estonian residents lost at least 29 million euros to online fraudsters, prompting the government's intensified response.
Recap
The Estonian government's creation of a specialized police unit and a multi-ministry plan is a strategic response to the significant economic threat posed by online fraud. This coordinated effort aims to move beyond simple prosecution to actively dismantle criminal networks, recover assets, and restore public trust in digital services.