SPAK has issued an official announcement regarding the action taken against Call Centers.

The announcement explains that during the investigations, a Call Center was identified located in Tirana, in the "Atti Tower" building, on "Ibrahim Rugova" street, opposite the Orthodox Cathedral, from where the well-organized perpetrators are suspected of defrauding Italian and European citizens for investments in various cryptocurrencies.

8 people have been arrested, while three others are being sought.

"After catching these citizens red-handed, investigators conducted a spontaneous search of the premises on the 5th floor of the building, where another Call Center under construction was found. Computer equipment, telephones, hard drives, laptops, various SIM cards, documents, notepads were found there. The individuals caught red-handed were transporting a trash can containing suspected items taken from the Call Center on "Ibrahim Rugova" Street, which they were destroying," the reaction states.

Notice:

The Special Prosecution Office against Corruption and Organized Crime registered criminal proceedings no. 03/2026, for the commission of the criminal offense of "Computer Fraud", in collaboration, in the form of a structured criminal group"Participation in a structured criminal group", provided for by articles 143/b, 28/4, 333/a and 334 of the Criminal Code.

The proceedings were registered on 9.1.2026 at the National Bureau of Investigation after the appearance of Italian journalists from the investigative show "Le Iene", which is broadcast on Mediaset. They submitted materials from their work.

During this investigation, a Call Center was identified located in Tirana, in the "Atti Tower" building, on "Ibrahim Rugova" street, opposite the Orthodox Cathedral, from where well-organized perpetrators are suspected of defrauding Italian and European citizens for investments in various cryptocurrencies.

The investigation was triggered by complaints from several Italian citizens who were defrauded by the Call Center. Italian journalists were able to infiltrate an Italian citizen, who started working there and recorded data on the Call Center premises. The data shows that this activity allegedly involved Italian citizens, residents of Italy and others living in Albania, while transactions were carried out in cryptocurrencies, in virtual currency wallets managed by the leaders of this illegal activity, using fraudulent platforms.

Referring to the video materials, it is a Call Center, located on the 9th and 13th floors of the “Atti Tower”. From the general appearance, the dynamics of communication and the actions of the person performing the registration or other persons, it is seen that it is a well-organized call center, with separate work stations, defined roles and staff operating in Italian, French, Spanish and German.

After the registration of this criminal proceeding, investigators of the National Bureau of Investigation immediately began work to identify the organizers and document the criminal activity of the fraud.

From the first investigative actions of the BKH, it resulted that the organizers of this criminal activity had set up a sophisticated security structure, with several protective perimeters, using not only static film cameras, but also civilian surveillance personnel, outside this Center.

There are clear indications that on the evening of January 15, 2026, after finishing work, members of this surveillance staff notified the owners of the Center of a possible intrusion. After that, in the early hours of the morning of January 16, 2026, the equipment was removed and the Call Center premises were also emptied.

After the execution of the decision of the Special Court, no. 85, dated 15.1.2026, BKH investigators ascertained on January 16, 2026, the emptying of the premises and the removal of equipment and personnel. Thanks to rapid and continuous investigative actions, it was possible to identify the persons and vehicles used to remove computer equipment and systems from the Call Center. After tracking them, in a short time, several citizens were caught red-handed, who had transported materials during the night to another rented premises in “Downtown One”, on Bajram Curri Boulevard.

After catching these citizens red-handed, investigators conducted a spontaneous search of the premises on the 5th floor of the building, where another Call Center under construction was found. Computer equipment, telephones, hard drives, laptops, various SIM cards, documents, notepads were found there. The individuals caught red-handed were transporting a trash can containing suspected items taken from the Call Center on “Ibrahim Rugova” Street, which they were destroying.

In the circumstances of being caught red-handed, the support of the Tirana Local Police Department was requested.

The citizens arrested in flagrante delicto are 6 people with the initials: R.Gj., DQ, E.Gj., EM,RP,OK.

Also, in parallel with the identification of the second Call Center, thanks to verification actions, detention orders were issued and executed for citizens with the initials; KK and H.XH., as suspects of committing the criminal offense of “"Computer fraud", in collaboration, in the form of a structured criminal group, provided for by articles 143/b, 28/4, 333/a and 334 of the Criminal Code.

In the course of the investigative actions, on 17.1.2026, detention orders were issued for three other citizens, suspected of committing the criminal offense of "Computer fraud", in collaboration, in the form of a structured criminal group, provided for by articles 143/b, 28/4, 333/a and 334 of the Criminal Code, which have not been found to date.

During the inspections carried out in 28 premises; apartments, vehicles, offices, garages, etc., hundreds of computer devices which are in the process of verification, camera monitoring systems, computer network systems, storage devices, servers, documents of the Call Center, the entity "Infinite" shpk and other entities in the process of verification were found and seized as material evidence. Vehicles used by the suspected perpetrators, motorcycles and a luxury Ferrari vehicle, which is suspected to belong to the organizers of this activity, were also seized.

The Special Prosecution Office continues to carry out investigative actions to inventory all computer equipment, seize it, analyze it, and identify all victims of the criminal offense, in cooperation with foreign authorities.

We thank the State Police for the support provided during the execution phase of the Special Court's decision as well as during further actions to identify and arrest suspects.

The Special Prosecution Office also particularly thanks the staff of the Italian investigative show "Le Iene" of "Mediaset", thanks to whose work, the initiation and investigation of this case of massive fraud in the Call Center in Albania became possible.

SPAK also draws the attention of citizens and the media to the phenomenon of online fraud through Call Centers and this is an activity that will continue to be pursued with priority, also in cooperation with our international partners.

On the other hand, an appeal goes out to citizens who work in these centers, to be aware and not to become part of illegal activities.