Lithuania Scams: Online, Investment & Tourist Fraud Guide
Common scams in Lithuania from online banking phishing and investment fraud to tourist overcharging, with official reporting channels.
Emergency number: 112 — verify on official sources.
Last reviewed: 1 August 2026
Lithuania has seen a sharp rise in online fraud in recent years, and the dominant script is the fake bank-security call. Callers claiming to be from Swedbank, SEB or Luminor security — or from the police — warn that the victim's account is under attack and talk them into approving Smart-ID or Mobile-ID confirmations, 'moving money to safety', or installing remote-access software. Because those confirmations are legally signatures, a single approved prompt can empty an account. The calls are made in Lithuanian, Russian and English, and pensioners and new arrivals are targeted hardest.
The second pillar is advertising-driven investment fraud: Facebook and Instagram ads with cloned news portals and deepfaked public figures funnel victims to fake trading platforms, where a friendly 'account manager' rings daily until the deposits stop. Marketplace fraud on classified sites — buyers and sellers lured off-platform, fake courier payment links sent by 'buyers' — and parcel-fee smishing impersonating Lietuvos pastas or LP Express are everyday noise, alongside task scams recruited through Telegram promising commission for liking videos or 'boosting' products.
The Cyber Police Bureau investigates cybercrime, with ePolicija (epolicija.lt) providing an online reporting platform, and the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority (VVTAT) handles consumer complaints. Tourists in Vilnius and Kaunas may still encounter overcharging taxis and accommodation fraud, but the serious money is lost online — so treat every unexpected bank call and confirmation prompt as hostile until verified.
Common scams
- Investment and crypto fraud via social media ads
- Phishing targeting Lithuanian bank accounts (Swedbank, SEB, Luminor)
- Online marketplace and classified ad fraud
- Fake job and task-based income schemes
Tourist-specific scams
- Overcharging taxi drivers in Vilnius
- Fake accommodation listings on booking platforms
- Restaurant overcharging in tourist-heavy areas
Online shopping scams
- Phishing SMS and emails impersonating Lithuanian banks
- Fake e-commerce shops with non-delivery
- Social media ads for fraudulent investment platforms
Job scams
- Task-based income scams paying small sums then demanding deposits
- Fake overseas work offers requiring advance fees
- Telegram 'like and earn' recruitment that escalates into paid 'VIP tasks'
Romance scams
- Dating-app relationships escalating to financial or investment requests
- Social media romance fraud from overseas contacts
- Pig-butchering grooming that ends on rigged crypto trading platforms
Investment scams
- Fake forex and crypto platforms heavily promoted via Facebook and Instagram
- Ponzi schemes disguised as fintech investments
- Cloned news portals and deepfaked public figures advertising fraudulent brokers
How to report a scam here
- Contact your bank immediately if fraudulent transactions occurred
- Report cybercrime via the ePolicija portal at epolicija.lt
- For consumer fraud, contact the State Consumer Rights Protection Authority at vvtat.lt
- Call 112 in an emergency or the Cyber Police Bureau at +370 5 271 7933
Local reporting & protection links
Always verify reporting routes and emergency contacts on the official government or agency website for your country.
Bank & payment guidance
Ring your bank the moment you notice, using the number on your card or in its app, because the chance of recalling a transfer drops sharply as time passes — instant SEPA payments settle in seconds. Tell them plainly that you were tricked into authorising the payment, ask for it to be stopped and the receiving account flagged, and note the reference number they give you. If you approved a Smart-ID or Mobile-ID prompt at a caller's request, or installed remote-access software, say so explicitly and ask for sessions to be terminated and those credentials suspended, not merely a card block. Then report via ePolicija at epolicija.lt, and consumer matters to VVTAT at vvtat.lt; a police reference number strengthens the bank's fraud investigation.
Evidence to preserve
- Screenshot all messages, profiles, websites and payment pages
- Save transaction references, account numbers and crypto wallet addresses
- Keep emails with full headers where possible
- Note dates, times, names and phone numbers used
Frequently asked questions
What is ePolicija in Lithuania?
ePolicija (epolicija.lt) is the Lithuanian Police online portal where residents can report cybercrime, fraud, and other offences electronically. It is operated by the Cyber Police Bureau and is the primary online reporting channel for digital crimes.
How do fake bank-security calls work in Lithuania?
A caller claiming to be Swedbank, SEB or Luminor security — sometimes 'the police' — says your account is under attack and asks you to approve a Smart-ID or Mobile-ID prompt, transfer money to a 'safe account' or install remote-access software. All three hand your money over. Hang up and call the bank yourself on the number in its official app; no Lithuanian bank asks customers to confirm prompts it triggered.
Are marketplace scams common on Lithuanian classified sites?
Yes. 'Buyers' send fake courier payment links asking the seller to 'receive' money by entering card details, and 'sellers' push buyers off-platform to pay by direct transfer for goods that never arrive. Keep the whole transaction inside the platform and never enter card details on a link a stranger sends you.
Sources
- National police and cybercrime portals (verify on official sites)
- FTC / Action Fraud / Scamwatch consumer guidance