The State Forest Enterprise informs that a new fraud mechanism has been detected in Lithuania, whereby fraudsters illegally sell state timber by pretending to be the owners. The mechanism involves the use of forged documents and false personal data.

„Recently, we have seen an increase in theft and fraud. Despite this, the State Forest Enterprise is working hard to ensure the protection of forests. We have sufficient forest protection measures in place, so every case of theft or fraud will be thoroughly investigated," says Vytautas Giržadas, Head of the Prevention and Risk Management Division of the State Forest Enterprise.

The Head of the Prevention and Risk Management Division of the State Forest Enterprise also urges people to remain vigilant and not to be tempted by low prices or unclear offers from sellers – buyers should carefully check documents, not trust stories about „familiar rangers“ or „cheap timber being sold in a hurry“. Only official, uniformed staff sell timber in VMU warehouses. They draw up and sign contracts, present their certificates, carry out measurements and take part in the handing over of the timber to the buyer. 

How does the fraud scheme work?

• Preparation of fake documents: The fraudster produces fake documents of the private forest owner, which include a false name and details of the timber he claims to own.
• Searching for buyers: The scammer searches for potential buyers through public advertisements in which people or companies state that they want to buy timber.
• Contract offer: a buyer is contacted and the scammer makes an offer to buy timber. He claims that the timber warehouse belongs to him, when in fact the warehouse belongs to the State Enterprise State Forest Enterprise.
• Documentation: the fraudster provides the buyer with false documents to convince him that the transaction is legitimate and that the timber belongs to a private individual.
• Collection of money: the fraudster receives the money for the timber supposedly sold – this usually takes place at the timber warehouse.
• Unlawful appropriation of timber: the fraudster instructs the buyer to collect the timber from the VMU's public timber depot. The buyer, believing that he is acting legally, picks up the timber and brings it to his company or private property (house, farm), but in fact commits theft – illegally takes timber belonging to the state.

What happens next?

When the VMU staff notices the defects in the timber, and it becomes apparent that the timber has been stolen, the VMU contacts the Lithuanian police regarding the theft of the timber. The Lithuanian police then launch an investigation and the timber is usually recovered. The perpetrators of the fraud have already disappeared and the private buyer of the timber – a nobody – becomes the victim of the fraud. In addition, he no longer has the money or the timber and initially becomes a suspect himself in the theft of timber from the VMU warehouse.

How to protect yourself?

• Check the identity of the sellers carefully.Ask for official documents and contact the State Forest Enterprise or other authorities if you have any doubts about the legality of the timber being sold.
• Reject suspicious transactions.
• If the price offered is unusually low or the seller is unwilling to provide clear documentation, it is likely to be a case of fraud.
• Report suspicious cases.
• If you suspect that you have been or may be a victim of fraud, contact the police immediately by calling the general emergency number 112 or the nearest Lithuanian police station.

In case of doubt, the VMU invites you to contact your local VMU regional offices, which will provide you with all the necessary information and advice on how to buy timber safely and securely. If you have already been a victim of a scam, please inform the Lithuanian Police immediately.

The VMU manages Lithuania's state forests in accordance with the principles of sustainable and balanced forestry. Each year, VMU sells around 3.6 million kgm of raw timber and uses the proceeds to fully cover forest maintenance, forest road construction and other activities of the State Forest Enterprise.

To purchase timber, please contact the VMU regional offices for detailed information on prices, quantities, ordering and delivery. Information is available on the VMU website.