Cybercrime Southeast Europe Newsletter No. 80

New wave of online scams: fake emails posing as the Ministry of Interior or Prosecutor’s Office

In recent days, citizens across Serbia have been receiving fake emails that appear to come from the Ministry of Interior or the Prosecutor’s Office for High-Tech Crime.

These messages falsely claim that an investigation has been launched against the recipient for “visiting prohibited websites,” demanding that they provide personal data or respond within 24 hours. Attached documents often include forged letters with official-looking seals and signatures — but they are fake.

The Ministry of Interior has officially confirmed that this is a phishing campaign — a type of scam aimed at stealing personal information, money, or installing malicious software on a computer or phone.

It is important to know that government institutions never send court summons, orders, or notifications by email, nor do they request personal information electronically.

If you receive such an email:

• Do not reply or open any attachments.
• Do not click on links in the message.
• Report the suspicious email to the High-Tech Crime Department of the Ministry of Interior.

As with most online scams, the goal is to create panic and push you to act before verifying the source. Stay calm, stay alert, and don’t believe everything that looks “official.”

Your DefendMe Team