They Embezzled 700 Million Lek From the Pension and Social Assistance Fund: Police Uncover Scandal at Albanian Post in Durres, Director and Two Subordinates Arrested

State Police have concluded the operation codenamed “Branch”, carried out by the Directorate for the Investigation of Economic and Financial Crime within the Criminal Police Department, in cooperation with the Durres Local Police Directorate and the Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction in Durres.

The director, finance chief and cashier of the Albanian Post branch in Durres have been arrested. They are suspected of failing to deposit 69 million new lek, intended for pension and social assistance payments, into the accounts of the Shijak and Kruje branches.

The operation was finalized by the Corruption Investigation Sector, part of the Directorate for the Investigation of Economic and Financial Crime within the Criminal Police Department, in coordination with the Durres Local Police Directorate and under the direction of the Durres Prosecutor’s Office, as part of ongoing action against economic and financial crimes.

During the operation, E. M., 41, a resident of Durres and director of the Albanian Post Durres branch; V. D., 59, a resident of Durres and the branch’s finance chief; and P. D., 39, a resident of Durres employed as a cashier/accountant, were detained.

The three women were detained as part of criminal proceedings registered by the Prosecutor’s Office for the criminal offences of “abuse of office” and “theft through abuse of office”, committed in cooperation.

According to suspicions raised by the investigation, the detainees embezzled 69 million new lek during April and May 2026. The sum was to be received by the Albanian Post branch in Durres for the Shijak and Kruje branches so that pensions and social assistance could be distributed to residents of those areas.

Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other individuals who may have participated in this criminal activity and bring them to justice.

The procedural documentation has been forwarded to the Prosecutor’s Office at the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction in Durres, which will carry out further actions.