Albania police warns of SMS fraud scheme as Kosovo flags rising cyber espionage threats

Albania's National Cyber Security Authority (AKSK) has issued a warning about a new SMS‑based fraud campaign that pretends to notify citizens of unpaid traffic fines. The messages contain links that mimic the official e‑Albania portal and aim to steal personal and banking data. AKSK has reported the related domains and IP addresses to the police and the communications regulator, urging the public not to click suspicious links or share sensitive information.

In Kosovo, cybersecurity experts say the country continuously faces cyber attacks, with espionage regarded as the most serious threat. Robert Shala, a cyber‑security specialist involved in Kosovo's national cyber‑security strategy, emphasized the need for cooperation with allies such as NATO and the United States to protect critical institutions. He noted that while attacks on infrastructure are rare, the digital environment enables foreign actors to gather intelligence more easily.

Both authorities stress vigilance and the use of official channels for payments and information to mitigate the growing risk of cybercrime in the Balkan region.