Russian, 23, Arrested in Belgrade Over Fake Doctor Scam
Serbia's Criminal Police Directorate in Belgrade arrested Russian national E. L. (23), suspected of posing as a doctor by phone to defraud citizens of 60,000 euros.
Officers from the Criminal Police Directorate of Serbia’s Ministry of Interior (MUP) have arrested Russian national E. L. (23), suspected of defrauding citizens of a total of 60,000 euros through phone scams. The arrest was carried out in cooperation with the Second Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade.
According to the MUP statement, E. L. is suspected of, between August and September 2026, acting together with several individuals not yet identified, “calling citizens by phone while posing as a doctor,” the statement says.
He is suspected of telling those he called that a family member had been injured in a car accident and urgently needed surgery, then using that story to ask for and collect money from them. None of the available sources specify the exact number of victims or the precise method used to collect the money.
The total damage suffered by the affected citizens amounts to 60,000 euros. Police suspect E. L. did not act alone, but as a co-perpetrator with several other individuals whose identities have not yet been established.
The suspect has been ordered into custody for up to 48 hours. Along with a criminal complaint for fraud, he will be brought before the Second Basic Public Prosecutor’s Office in Belgrade, which will decide on further proceedings.
The MUP said it “continues working to clarify this case,” primarily to identify the other participants in the scheme.
