A total of 423 Norwegian nationals were defrauded in the international fraud scheme. The Romanian perpetrators were sentenced to 3.5 and 4.5 years’ imprisonment for aggravated fraud and identity theft.
Targeted frauds
The fraudsters targeted Norwegian users of the Norwegian Public Roads Administration’ self-service portal for buying and selling vehicles. Using sophisticated tools to cover their tracks online they attempted to drain the accounts of unsuspecting victims of more than NOK 10 million (approx. EUR 830,000).
Following a complaint filed by the Norwegian Public Roads Administration, the Norwegian National Authority for Investigation and Prosecution of Economic and Environmental Crime (Økokrim) launched an investigation into the matter. The thorough investigation resulted in a large-scale raid in Romania. The convicted persons were arrested and surrendered to Norway for prosecution.
– Digital fraud does not respect national borders. Økokrim has observed a dramatic increase in this type of crime, in volume as well as in seriousness. This case marks the beginning of a new era in the fight against digital crime. The police are getting increasingly better at investigating digital fraud and cross-border crime, says interim public prosecutor Jon Andre Hvoslef-Eide at Økokrim.
The judgment sends an important signal
Following his conviction by the district court, one of the convicted persons appealed against the sentence. The Court of Appeal has now dismissed the appeal thus making the judgement final and enforceable. As a result, the fraudsters must serve the remainder of their prison sentences imposed last summer, 3.5 and 4.5 years respectively.
– The judgement shows that it is possible to identify the offenders in large fraud cases, regardless of where they are based. Criminals targeting Norwegian nationals should not feel safe. The conviction sends an important message to criminal groups that the risk of detection is ever increasing and that they will face strict sentences, says Hvoslef-Eide.
Contact:
+47 23 29 10 30 (open Mon.–Fri. 08.00 to 15.45)
kommunikasjon.okokrim@politiet.no
Relevant cases:
• https://www.okokrim.no/doemt-til-fengsel-etter-aa-ha-svindlet-nordmenn-fra-romania.6679164-549344.html
• https://www.okokrim.no/sentenced-to-imprisonment-for-scamming-norwegians-from-romania.6679220-549344.html
• https://www.okokrim.no/oekokrim-har-aksjonert-mot-organiserte-svindlere-i-romania.6624466-549344.html
• https://www.okokrim.no/oekokrim-har-tatt-ut-tiltale-mot-to-rumenske-menn-for-grovt-bedrageri-og-id-tyveri.6668174-549344.html