Legislation, Lithuania, Society, Technology, Telecomunications

Bernatonis has discussed the issue with Interior Minsiter Saulius Skvernelis this week. Bernatonis said the proposal is an old one but there was no agreement on the issue with mobile network operators. However, the interior minister informed the justice minister that now a compromise has been reached and the register might be established in the future. The register would enable to fight against telephone fraudsters.

In addition, mobile phone jamming equipment has recently become operational in Marijampole Correction House, which also contributes combating fraud.

Nearly 8-9 thousand mobile phones are found in possession of inmates in Lithuanian penal institutions each year. 50-60 thousand searches are carried out and, as a result, not only mobile phones, SIM cards, but also drugs and other banned objects are seized.

According to the Police Department, damage arising from telephone fraud amounts to EUR 1 million per year with over a thousand pre-trial investigationns launched. Telephone fraud cases account for nearly a fifth of all instances of fraud.

Telephone fraud is combated with the help of a special algorithm which allows to block fraudsters' telephones. In 2015 so far mobile operators have blocked 356 telephones and 772 SIM cards. Of this amount, 178 phones and 444 SIM cards were blocked in Marijampole Correction House.