The majority of STR reports were submitted by banks (81.6 thousand STR reports), virtual asset service providers (VASPs) (more than 13 thousand STR reports, 8.3 thousand in 2024) and electronic money and payment institutions (6.1 thousand STR reports). In 2025, the flow of STR reports not only increased but also featured a greater volume of analytical assessment.
The contribution of other obligated entity groups was significantly smaller: cash transfer companies submitted 898 reports, gambling companies – 466, specialized banks – 226, foreign FIs – 181, other obligated entities – 134, and other financial institutions – 87.
“The increase in the number of received STR reports is significantly influenced by technological advances in the financial sector, continuously improved risk monitoring systems, and increasingly applied automated transaction monitoring and artificial intelligence solutions. These measures allow for more effective identification of suspicious transaction patterns and possible signs of money laundering or fraud,” says Edmundas Jankūnas, Head of the FNTT Money Laundering Prevention Department (PPPV).
In 2025, 21,295 reports were assigned to PPPV Analysis Department analysts for more detailed analysis (10,026 in 2024). This shows that not only the total number of STR reports increased but also the volume of more complex cases requiring additional assessment. In 2025, the main analytical workload was concentrated in the banking, payment and electronic money institutions, and virtual asset service provider sectors.
Frozen funds in accounts and cash transactions
In 2025, the number of reports received about funds frozen in client accounts increased to 893 reports, with the total amount of frozen funds reaching nearly 71 million euros.
Most of these reports were related to fraud cases or unidentified sources of funds when clients did not provide financial institutions with the requested documents justifying the source of funds.
During 2025, the FNTT received nearly 1.2 million reports on cash transactions – cash deposits, exchanges, and withdrawals. Banks submitted the largest share of these reports.
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Most relevant typologies
It has been observed that fraud has been the most widespread criminal activity in the electronic space for many years and constitutes a large portion of the received reports on suspicious financial operations or transactions.
The reports predominantly feature various forms of fraud – investment or romantic fraud, email phishing, phone vishing, SMS smishing, online shopping fraud, accessing electronic service providers’ websites, and purchasing goods or tickets for concerts and other events through classified ad platforms or social networks.
With a considerable number of virtual asset service providers operating in Lithuania, alongside the increasing number of reports on suspicious financial transactions, the use of virtual currency for illegal purposes is also growing: individuals conduct transactions on the dark web using virtual currency addresses linked to narcotics, child sexual abuse material, payment card data distribution, terrorism financing, or other virtual currency addresses subject to international sanctions, making large transfers without being able to justify the source of funds.
Another relevant typology is the use of money mules. Money mules are individuals who, usually for a fee, receive and transfer or otherwise pass on illegally obtained funds to other persons’ accounts. Such individuals may also transfer control of their bank account or access credentials to third parties. They may act knowingly, understanding the illegality of their actions, but in some cases, they are involved in schemes without realizing that their accounts are used for criminal activities.
The use of fictitious companies is also observed. The operation of fictitious companies is closely related to transit payments and accounts. A fictitious company legally exists but has no real or significant economic activity, employees, or material resources. Such companies are often established for illegal purposes – fraud, tax evasion, sanctions evasion, asset concealment, or other criminal schemes.
These and other typologies reflect the most relevant models of money laundering, fraud, and other financial crimes encountered by financial institutions, other obligated entities, and law enforcement agencies.
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