The Albanian State Police, through its Cybercrime Investigation Directorate, has issued a warning about a growing number of online fraud cases involving fake loan offers that aim to steal personal information.
According to the police, unknown individuals are using suspicious websites, social media platforms, and electronic messages to pose as representatives of financial institutions. They encourage people to apply for loans online, but instead seek to obtain personal and financial data for fraudulent purposes.
The State Police has urged the public to be extremely cautious and not to:
Send money, bank details, or personal documents to unidentified individuals or insecure websites.
Respond to unsolicited messages that promise loans or financial benefits without verification.
Before applying for any loan, citizens are advised to verify all information directly with the financial institution. This includes using only the official contact details listed on the official bank websites. If someone cannot visit a bank branch in person, they should still confirm the legitimacy of any offer through verified channels.
The police also encourage anyone who suspects they’ve encountered fraud to report it immediately to help prevent further crimes and support ongoing investigations.