Phony phone calls. Statistics, measures to prevent this activity.
Session: 15th Estonian Parliament, 4th sitting, press briefing
Date: 2024-10-16 15:01
Participating Politicians:
Total Speeches: 10
Membership: 15
Agenda Duration: 14m
AI Summaries: 10/10 Speeches (100.0%)
Analysis: Structured Analysis
Politicians Speaking Time
Politicians
Analysis
Summary
The first question discussed the scope of fraudulent call schemes in Estonia, their statistics, and measures to prevent their activity. Questioner Lauri Laats highlighted the widespread nature of the problem, including how these fraudulent calls often originate in Russian and utilize numbers registered in Estonia, and what is being done in international cooperation to stop them. The topic was addressed as a global and multi-layered problem, concerning both security and the public’s trust in services and the country’s digital safety.
Decisions Made 1
Decisions were not made. At this session, an overview of the situation, the measures taken, and the plans were presented, but no specific decisions were formulated.
Most Active Speaker
The most active speaker at the Istungi summit was Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets, who represents the government and whose role is as a minister (in the "other" category, meaning not directly aligned to the right or left political spectrum). He drew attention to global and domestic challenges in the fight against disinformation, highlighting the importance of both statistics, international cooperation, and preventative measures.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
MP Lauri Laats asks the first question to Minister of the Interior Lauri Läänemets, who is acting as Prime Minister, concerning telephone scam calls, the relevant statistics, and the measures needed for their prevention.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats pointed out that he receives scam calls almost every day from unfamiliar numbers, often in Russian, with the callers claiming to be representatives of the police or the tax authority. He then asked whether the number of complaints has increased, what the statistics show, and what steps are being taken to stop this flood of calls.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
The report emphasizes that scam calls are a serious and globally widespread threat; in Estonia, 524 people lost nearly 3 million euros last year, and this year, there have already been 270 victims, with total damages reaching about 1.5 million euros. These calls primarily originate from foreign countries—specifically India and Russian-speaking call centers—which makes apprehension significantly more difficult. However, the Estonian police have made notable progress. For instance, in an international operation conducted in April, 227 websites targeting phishing attacks were shut down, 37 criminals were detained across 17 countries, and the LabHost platform was dismantled. Efforts and cooperation with foreign countries are ongoing.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks the previous speaker and asks Lauri Laats to pose a clarifying question.
Lauri Laats
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Lauri Laats pointed out that approximately 540 people contacted the police last year, with the total damage amounting to roughly three million euros (this year, the estimated damage is 1.5 million euros, and 270 people have already contacted them). He then asks what proportion of this volume originates from foreign countries compared to crimes carried out within Estonia, and added his concern regarding fake calls and the spoofing of phone numbers, noting that this personally interferes with him and his work.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Interior Minister Lauri Läänemets stated that fraudulent calls and hybrid attacks are a complex and serious problem, which they are attempting to prevent through international cooperation, involving the police and partners (DPD, Omniva, Itella), and by raising public awareness. He added that the most crucial step is never to disclose the PIN2 code.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
The Chairman thanks [the previous speaker] and invites Vadim Belobrovtsev to ask a follow-up question next.
Vadim Belobrovtsev
Profiling Eesti Keskerakonna fraktsioonAI Summary
Vadim Belobrovtsev emphasized that scammers have become bolder recently and are acting increasingly brazenly, and called for increasing resources, police officers' salaries, and proactive awareness campaigns, including sending multilingual booklets to mailboxes that would show what to avoid, how to act, and where to seek assistance, and asked if such a plan is in place.
Siseminister Lauri Läänemets
AI Summary
Läänemets stressed that the police are doing the maximum possible prevention work within existing resources, focusing on two main areas: increasing public awareness of fraud schemes and maintaining timely vigilance. He also shared practical advice: Check the PPA website for the most common schemes, never allow remote access (AnyDesk/TeamViewer), remember that PIN2 is essentially a signature, and if someone presents themselves as part of a secret operation or urgently asks you to send cash via an ATM or parcel machine, you must immediately stop and report it to the police. Prevention and awareness are extremely important.
Esimees Lauri Hussar
AI Summary
Chairman Lauri Hussar offers his thanks and announces that he is concluding the consideration of today's first question.