Cybercrime Southeast Europe Newsletter No. 58

Regional Fight Against Cyber Fraud: Key Messages from “Balkan Cybersecurity Days” in Podgorica

One of the questions we have received from several clients concerns how countries in the Balkans are coping with increasingly sophisticated internet fraud. The conference “Balkan Cybersecurity Days,” held last week in Podgorica, provided partial answers to these questions. The event gathered representatives of institutions, agencies, and cybersecurity experts from the region.

We are sharing the key conclusions and messages that were publicly released and which we consider relevant for all victims of internet fraud in the region.

Conference Topics

The focus was on the increasing misuse of artificial intelligence, deepfake technologies, and anonymous online platforms used to defraud citizens. Special emphasis was placed on the need for stronger international and regional cooperation, as well as the urgent need for criminal prosecution of organized groups operating across multiple countries.

What Was Highlighted as a Priority

• Strengthening training for prosecutors, police, and judges in the area of cybercrime
• Data exchange between countries in the region regarding active platforms and suspicious money flows
• Educating citizens, with a focus on vulnerable groups such as pensioners and young people

Why This Matters for Victims

In most cases we handle, the victims’ money ends up abroad — often in countries where representatives at this conference are present. Without regional cooperation, institutions in Serbia and other countries are often powerless to obtain key data on their own.

Many schemes that start in one Balkan country (or are laundered through it) affect citizens across the entire region. For example, a person from Serbia can be a victim of a platform managed by individuals from Albania, while the servers are located in Germany. Without regional cooperation — there is no effective protection.

Announced Steps

According to available information, a regional memorandum is in preparation that would allow for more efficient cooperation in investigations and faster data exchange. Joint actions aimed at identifying and blocking fraudulent platforms have also been announced.

Our Comment

We welcome every attempt at regional cooperation in this area and hope it will lead to concrete results. Cybercrime knows no borders, and it is time that citizen protection is not limited to a single country.

If you suspect that you have been a victim or know someone who has, you can contact us to check whether there are ongoing proceedings in the region and whether there are any possibilities for recovering funds.

Kind Regards,

Zoran Miljakovic

Attorney at Law