Smederevo police arrest two in international phone fraud crackdown

Serbian police have arrested two individuals in Smederevo as part of the international operation ‘Silentium’, aimed at dismantling a network involved in large-scale telephone fraud. The suspects are accused of providing internet telephone lines that allowed fraudsters to spoof caller IDs, making them appear as bank employees or police officers to deceive citizens.

According to German investigative authorities, the infrastructure was used to make at least 600,000 calls and is linked to more than 18,000 fraud cases. While 70 cases have confirmed damages totaling approximately 764,000 euros, the total revenue generated by providing these services is estimated to exceed 1.6 million euros.

Electronic equipment suspected of being used in the crimes was seized during the arrests. German authorities are expected to request the extradition of the suspects. Serbian Interior Minister Ivica Dačić emphasized that the operation demonstrates Serbia’s contribution to European efforts in combating cross-border criminal networks that utilize technology to target victims.