Lithuania launches 17 investigations into real estate fraud

Since the beginning of 2025, Lithuanian law enforcement has launched 17 pre-trial investigations into high-value real estate fraud. Scammers use psychological pressure and false information to convince victims to sell their property urgently, often at prices significantly below market value.

In these schemes, criminals pose as representatives of various institutions, claiming the victim's property is being sold on the black market to induce panic. Once the property is sold, victims are coerced into withdrawing the funds in cash or purchasing gold bullion, which is then handed over to the scammers.

Elderly individuals are the most frequent targets of these operations. Investigations are currently active across several regions, including 10 cases in the Kaunas County, 6 in Vilnius, and 1 in Panevėžys. Authorities are also examining whether real estate brokers, notaries, or other professionals may have been involved in these fraudulent transactions.