ANI seeks to confiscate over 1.2 million lei from Guțul’s assets: Diamond necklace declared at just one leu

The National Integrity Authority (ANI) is seeking to confiscate nearly 1.25 million lei in assets belonging to former Gagauzia Governor (Bashkan) Evghenia Guțul. On November 4, the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) ruled that ANI’s request should be examined by the Chișinău District Court.

Chisinau pensioner loses 1.4 million lei in phone scam

A 77-year-old woman in Chișinău lost €69,400 (approximately 1.4 million MDL) after fraudsters posing as police officers convinced her to hand over her life savings over alleged terrorist activity concerns.

"Bank Fraud" case: Plahotniuc’s defense seeks prosecutor's recusal

On Monday, November 2, the Chișinău Court of Appeal continues hearings in the “bank fraud” case, in which former Democratic Party leader Vladimir Plahotniuc was sentenced to 19 years in prison at first instance. He is attending the hearing via videoconference from Penitentiary No. 13 in Chișinău. The judges are set to examine motions filed by his defense team.

Chisinau prosecutors open probe into 750,000-person data breach

Chisinau prosecutors have opened a criminal investigation into the unauthorized extraction of personal data linked to about 750,000 Moldovan identification numbers during cyberattacks on government systems in October.

Two separatist officials in Tiraspol lose Moldovan citizenship

The President of the Republic of Moldova, Maia Sandu, has signed decrees revoking the Moldovan citizenship of three individuals, including two members of the so-called Supreme Soviet in Tiraspol. The third person reportedly obtained citizenship despite a negative assessment issued by the Intelligence and Security Service.

Three young people detained in Chișinău and Orhei for online scams with fake profiles

Police detained three young people on suspicion of involvement in an online scam scheme in which they allegedly obtained money from individuals in the United States and the European Union by creating fake profiles and initiating romantic relationships. The payments made by the victims reportedly totalled approximately 440,000 dollars in a single month.

Young people in Moldova targeted by a network planning violent protests

A group of individuals is suspected of attempting to draw young people from the Republic of Moldova into protest activities intended to escalate into violence and mass unrest. Fake social media accounts—some allegedly managed from abroad—were reportedly used to mobilize participants. Police officers and agents from the Intelligence and Security Service (SIS) have carried out searches in several regions of the country.

Iurie Radulov was extradited from Turkey and returned to prison

Gang leader Iurie Radulov, alias "Babior"—sentenced to life imprisonment for ten contract killings and 11 attempted murders—was extradited from Turkey and brought to the Republic of Moldova on the evening of Friday, October 23. He has been incarcerated at Penitentiary No. 13 in Chișinău, where he will resume serving his sentence, following his conditional release last year.

Experts to stay on vetting commission despite court ruling

International experts Herman von Hebel and Bernard Lavigne will remain on Moldova’s prosecutors' vetting commission, Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu confirmed Thursday, despite a Constitutional Court ruling invalidating their appointment procedure.

Moldova opens judge selection to curb severe judicial staffing deficit

Moldova's judicial watchdog launched fresh recruitment competitions to fill severe staffing shortages across appellate bodies, anti-corruption chambers, and the nation's highest court, the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM) announced.

Spain pledges judicial reform support to Moldova

Spain is ready to support judicial reforms in the Republic of Moldova by sharing expertise in anti-corruption practices, magistrate training, and court digitization, Spanish Ambassador José Antonio Hernández Pérez-Solórzano told Moldpres.

Fake cryptocurrency scams in the US and Canada; eight arrested after call center raids

Police have dismantled a criminal network in the Republic of Moldova that generated about $2 million a month through cryptocurrency scams. The group lured victims from the US and Canada to fake trading platforms via call centers. Authorities detained eight individuals after raids on October 9.