Cybercrime Southeast Europe Newsletter No. 92
New Scam Targeting Newly Established Companies in Serbia
In recent weeks, a new scheme has been reported in Serbia targeting newly established companies and entrepreneurs. Business owners have reported receiving letters that closely resemble official correspondence from government institutions.
The envelopes contain a payment slip for 12,150 RSD along with instructions suggesting that the payment must be made in order to register the company in a certain “informational registry.” At first glance, the document appears formal and may create the impression that the payment represents a legal obligation.
However, in reality, this is not a statutory obligation, but rather a commercial offer from a private company offering registration in a database that has no legal effect and is not connected to the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR).
How does the scam work?
The scheme relies on several key elements:
- Targeting newly established businesses
Fraudsters use publicly available information about newly registered companies to identify potential targets. Entrepreneurs who have recently opened a business may not yet be familiar with all administrative procedures, making them particularly vulnerable. - Creating the impression of a legal obligation
The document is written in formal language and includes short deadlines for payment, creating pressure to complete the payment without verifying the information. - Visual similarity to official documents
Although the letters do not contain official state symbols, their format and terminology closely resemble official administrative notices, which may confuse recipients.
Important notice for entrepreneurs
It is important to emphasize that official company registrations in Serbia are carried out exclusively through the Serbian Business Registers Agency (APR), under clearly defined procedures and official fees paid directly to that institution.
Payments requested through such letters are not legally required and have no impact on a company’s status in the official registers.
How to protect yourself
- Do not make payments based on letters received from unknown companies.
• Verify whether the requested payment is actually required by law.
• Official administrative fees related to company registration are always paid directly to APR or another competent authority.
• If in doubt, consult an accountant, lawyer, or check the information through official institutional websites.
A simple rule remains the same: if a letter creates urgency and requests payment but does not come from an official institution, there is a high likelihood that it is an attempt to mislead recipients.
Your DefendMe Team