New details have emerged regarding the arrest of two Chinese nationals accused of orchestrating a massive online scam that targeted thousands of Albanian citizens.
According to official sources, Albania’s Cybercrime Unit prevented the theft of sensitive data belonging to over 5,000 people, in what could have been one of the largest cyber fraud cases in the country’s history.
The two suspects, identified as Cunfeng Fan (51) and Haike Yan (45), allegedly attempted to clone the official website of the Albanian Post (Posta Shqiptare) to deceive users into revealing their bank details. Authorities estimate the potential damage to be around 5 billion lekë, or €50 million.
The Chinese citizens had arrived in Tirana just a week before their arrest, reportedly to establish the technical infrastructure for the scam. They were staying at a hotel near the city center, where police later discovered multiple computers, SIM cards, hard drives, and data storage devices crucial to the investigation.
According to investigators, their plan was to set up the network locally, while collaborators abroad would withdraw the funds from compromised bank accounts.
The operation was uncovered after months of monitoring the dark web and open online sources, which led to the identification of suspicious activities linked to fake websites impersonating Albanian institutions.
Authorities believe the two men were part of a larger international cybercrime network, and investigations are ongoing to identify additional members. International partners are assisting the Albanian Police in tracing digital and financial footprints connected to the case.
This cyber operation, thwarted by Albanian authorities, demonstrates both the growing global reach of cybercriminals and the increasing capability of Albania’s digital security units to counter such threats.
The Cybercrime Unit urges citizens to remain alert, verify website authenticity, and avoid entering personal or banking data through unofficial platforms.