The National Commission for Financial Market (NCFM) has warned Moldovan citizens about new types of banking fraud that involve gaining complete control over a phone
As noted in a statement by the National Commission for Financial Market (NCFM), victims are contacted by people posing as mobile operators via instant messaging apps (WhatsApp, Viber, etc.). Fraudsters use various ploys to persuade victims to urgently cooperate: optimization or improvement of services (internet speed, signal quality); provision of urgent technical support; mandatory security checks or avoiding account/phone number blocking; installation of a technical support or security app (which is essentially a remote access tool). Under these pretexts, the victim is asked to perform certain actions related to phone settings. After the victim follows the instructions, the fraudsters gain complete and remote control of the mobile device. Once remotely controlled, the criminals gain access to all data on the phone, including: banking applications and saved passwords; SMS/email messages required for authentication codes (OTP); Personal data and contacts. This allows them to carry out unauthorized transactions and withdraw all available funds from the victim's accounts. The National Commission for Financial Market (NCFR) recommends that citizens not install the requested apps, as no institution (bank, telephone operator, or government agency) will ask them to install remote control apps to resolve problems. They are also advised to end the conversation immediately. "If someone asks you to install an app, access your phone remotely, or change settings, end the conversation immediately. Check yourself: call the telephone operator or bank at the official number listed on their website, not the number they contacted you from. Do not share security codes, passwords, PINs, or unique codes received via SMS (OTP), no matter how convincing the pretext. If you have provided certain information and control of your phone has been seized, immediately remove the SIM card from the phone, check your bank account balance, and report it to your bank and the police. "Be vigilant and do not give anyone access to your data or devices!" the NCFM emphasizes. // 17.11.2025 — InfoMarket.
