Lithuanian authorities have arrested a man suspected of orchestrating an elaborate fraud scheme that exploited Amazon’s refund policy to steal more than 2.5 million euros, according to the Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau.
The suspect, identified as Lithuanian citizen D.R., allegedly operated the scheme through a Telegram group, where he and accomplices coordinated purchases from Amazon. After receiving their orders, they falsely claimed the items never arrived or that they received empty packages, triggering refunds from the e-commerce giant.
“Organized retail crime is an industry-wide problem that threatens the trusted shopping experience Amazon has built over decades,” said Jamie Wendellas, Amazon’s senior corporate counsel. “Amazon is committed to a holistic approach in combating these crimes, including fraudulent refund schemes. We appreciate Lithuanian law enforcement’s swift action against the organizer of this fraud.”
Authorities apprehended D.R. in Vilnius and imposed two pretrial measures against him. During searches, police seized nearly 5-million-euro worth of cryptocurrency and more than 700,000 euros in cash from the suspect and his alleged associates.
The investigation, led by the Prosecutor General’s Office, falls under Article 182, Section 3 (fraud) and Article 216, Section 1 (money laundering) of Lithuania’s Criminal Code. If convicted, D.R. could face up to eight years in prison. So far, two individuals have been charged in connection with the case.
Lithuanian Criminal Police Bureau Chief Arūnas Maskoliūnas described the case as unprecedented in the country. “This is the first time such a significant amount of money has been defrauded from a commercial company in Lithuania,” he said. “This case demonstrates our commitment to uncovering and stopping emerging fraud schemes.”
Fraud cases remain a growing concern in Lithuania. In 2024, police recorded more than 3,200 fraud-related crimes, with financial institutions reporting over 15 million euros in losses. While fraudsters continue to use various tactics, phone scams impersonating law enforcement, financial institutions, and companies like Google have surged. Meanwhile, advance fee, investment, and phishing scams remain prevalent.
Authorities noted that most fraud schemes have an international dimension, often involving foreign nationals and services based outside Lithuania. Criminals also rely on identity concealment techniques and social engineering to deceive victims.
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