“The world of fraud has become increasingly sophisticated over time. Years ago, the police used to warn people not to buy a packaged item at a market without checking it first, because instead of a pair of trousers, you might end up with only one trouser leg. Today, we have to talk about schemes where people are lured into online scams that can cost them not only the price of a pair of trousers, but their home, their life savings, and even leave them burdened with debt.”
With these words, police officer Maarja Punak introduced the topic of BECID’s latest webinar.
A recent and particularly striking example comes from Estonia, where the Estonian Artists’ Association (EKL) announced on 18 May that it had fallen victim to a large-scale financial fraud scheme. During a press conference, EKL President Maarin Ektermann explained that on 15 May, at approximately 1 p.m., SEB Bank contacted her regarding suspicious transactions taking place through the chief accountant’s account. Transactions had been made from both the association’s Swedbank and SEB accounts. According to Ektermann, the total losses amounted to nearly €700,000.
The case highlights how convincing and sophisticated modern fraud schemes have become and underscores the importance of helping employees in memoryinstitutions recognise and prevent such threats.
Libraries, museums, archives and galleries are often places where people seek assistance with digital services or help verifying information. Older adults and individuals with less digital experience, in particular, place considerable trust in memory institution staff and frequently turn to them for advice when they encounter potential scams, misinformation or suspicious online activity.
On 1 June 2026, BECID organised another webinar for memory institution professionals across the Baltic States. As introduced, this time, we expanded into a new topic area and focused on online fraud, scams and digital safety. The webinar explored the most common threats and schemes users face today, how to recognise warning signs, and what practical steps can be taken to prevent fraud. We also discussed the broader connections between scams, the digital information environment and online security.
A total of 153 participants joined the webinar: 83 in the Estonian breakout room, 50 in the Latvian breakout room, and 20 in the Lithuanian breakout room. As usual, participants were divided into language-specific breakout sessions in Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian.
Estonia: The Growing Sophistication of Online Fraud
In the Estonian breakout room, police officer and Head of Communications at the Police and Border Guard Board, Maarja Punak, provided an overview of the current state of online fraud in Estonia.
According to Punak, online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and systematic. In Estonia alone, victims have already lost approximately €8 million to fraudsters this year.
To combat the growing threat, the Police and Border Guard Board has established a dedicated fraud task force, is working closely with other public authorities, and is preparing new information materials and awareness campaigns to help different target groups better recognise scams.
Particular attention is now being given to so-called “combination scams,” where fraudsters impersonate several different organisations during a single scheme, as well as AI-generated and manipulated images, which may soon become one of the most significant emerging threats.
Although losses caused by online marketplace and sales scams have not increased dramatically in recent years, there are still cases where victims come under such intense psychological pressure that they end up selling their homes as a result of the fraud. The Police and Border Guard Board notes that many people report receiving scam emails and fraudulent phone calls, making prevention, awareness and critical thinking more important than ever.
Latvia: Understanding the Scammers’ Script
In the Latvian breakout room, Marina Ivanova from the New East Culture Institute shared her personal experience with fraud and scam tactics. She presented her story in a particularly engaging way, framing it as a theatre script.
As Marina explained, after carefully analysing both her own experience and numerous other cases, she realised that while the setting and the characters may change, the scammers’ script remains strikingly similar.
Marina also highlighted several psychological and situational factors that influence people’s behaviour once scammers initiate contact. She emphasised the importance of stopping, taking a moment to reflect, and speaking with someone outside the immediate situation, as this is often the quickest and most effective way to disrupt a scammer’s strategy and regain perspective.
Importantly, Marina stressed that anyone can become a victim of fraud, including highly educated and young people. As she pointed out, scams are not about a lack of knowledge or intelligence; they rely on cognitive manipulation, emotional pressure and carefully designed psychological tactics.
Lithuania: Fraud Cases and Data Protection
In the Lithuanian breakout room, Gertruda Pliaukštytė delivered a presentation on fraud and data breach cases in Lithuania, sharing real-life examples and insights into the evolving methods used by scammers.
Alongside recent case studies, Gertruda provided participants with practical advice on how to better protect themselves and their personal data. Particular emphasis was placed on everyday password creation and management practices, highlighting the importance of strong password habits as one of the most effective defences against fraud, identity theft and cyber threats.
As fraud schemes continue to evolve across the Baltic region, strengthening digital literacy and awareness among cultural GLAM-professionals remains essential. By equipping staff with the knowledge to recognise scams, support users and promote safe online behaviour, memory institutions can play an important role in building a more resilient and informed society.