New evidence was revealed by the latest operation of the Cybercrime Directorate, which managed to prevent one of the largest online fraud attempts in Albania.

Two Chinese citizens, aged 51 and 45, were arrested a few days ago in Tirana, accused of electronic fraud and theft of personal data. Investigations revealed that they had set up a complex plan to falsify the website of the Albanian Postal Service, with the aim of stealing citizens' banking details.

According to information from the police, approximately 5,000 Albanian citizens were targeted, while the amount at risk of being stolen reached 5 billion lek, or 50 million euros.

The two Chinese had arrived in Albania just a week earlier to set up the technical infrastructure that would allow them to access citizens' data. They were staying at a hotel near the center of Tirana, where 17 mobile phones, 1 laptop, 12 passports, 11 bank cards, 7 identity cards and 1 driver's license were found and confiscated during the search, all of which were used for illegal activities.

The devices that were seized contained lists of the data Of 5,000 citizens living in Albania. The hackers sent victims a fake link via mobile phone, imitating the website of The Albanian Postal Service. once the users logged in, the Chinese gained access to their personal information and subsequently to their bank accounts.

After installing the fraudulent system, the two defendants planned to leave Albania, while the withdrawals of the money would be made from abroad.

The Cybercrime Directorate identified them thanks to the continuous monitoring of the "dark web" and open online sources, where suspicious accounts and activities of the ring were identified.

After the inspection, criminal proceedings were initiated using special investigative methods, which led to the arrest of the two Chinese and the seizure of the devices used for the illegal activities.

Investigations are continuing, while the involvement of other individuals in the international online fraud network cannot be ruled out.