Specialists of the Economic and Financial Crime Investigation Sector at the Tirana Police Department, in cooperation with Police Stations No. 1 and No. 2, have finalized two police operations codenamed "Shuma" and "Imazhi" over the last 24 hours, arresting the perpetrators of several cases of fraud and theft with serious financial consequences.
As part of the "Shuma" operation, the Police have arrested citizens BS, 31 years old, and SM, 23 years old, and have declared 31-year-old RH wanted. These citizens are suspected of having used Artificial Intelligence to introduce themselves through messages as well-known characters to a 70-year-old who was engaged in currency exchange. Through this technology, they have deceived the elderly man by taking the amount of 100,000 euros with the justification that they would return it to him after a few hours. After the money was not returned within the promised deadline, the injured party immediately notified the Police.
The operation continues to capture the person who physically went to the subject to withdraw the money, as well as to handcuff other accomplices.
During the second operation codenamed "Imazhi", it was possible to arrest the wanted citizen GB, 37 years old. This citizen is accused of having deceived the employees of two businesses on "Brigada VIII" and "Teodor Keko" streets on August 14, 2026, taking 20,000 lek with the claim that he was a friend of the owners. Also, on August 21, the same person stole a bag with 25,000 lek inside a business on "Skënder Luarasi" street.
Given the use of new forms of cybercrime and fraud, the State Police calls on citizens and administrators of entities to show increased caution. The authorities instruct that under no circumstances should money or personal data be given to unverified persons who contact through messages or videos created with Artificial Intelligence, and they request the immediate reporting of any suspicious cases to police structures.
