Nikšić woman suspected of defrauding around 2,300 people of more than €117,000

Officers of the Nikšić Security Department, in cooperation with officers of the Financial Intelligence Sector and under the coordination of the Basic State Prosecutor’s Office in Nikšić, filed a criminal complaint, on the state prosecutor’s orders, against J. for the suspected offense. She allegedly committed the crime by misleading around 2,300 individuals and legal entities over a period beginning at the age of 17, soliciting monetary donations for medical treatment. The money collected, totaling €117,203, was allegedly spent not on treatment but on online betting platforms operated by several gambling providers in Montenegro. The Police Directorate urges citizens, legal entities and organizations to exercise caution when donating money and, whenever possible, verify the authenticity of humanitarian appeals, the identity of campaign organizers and the intended use of the funds. Transparent record-keeping of collected and spent funds, as well as verification of donation recipients, helps ensure that donated money is used for its intended purpose, reduces the risk of abuse, protects donors and preserves trust in humanitarian campaigns.