The State Security Service (VDD) reiterates its call on Latvian citizens not to travel to Russia or Belarus, warning that special services may be operating at border checkpoints in these countries, identifying potential recruitment targets and infecting travellers’ mobile phones with spyware.
The VDD has found that Russian and Belarusian special services aggressively use the opportunity to question and recruit foreigners on their territory, including using aggressive and illegal methods to coerce cooperation.
However, if you have to travel to one of these aggressor countries, the VDD advises you not to take your mobile phone with you, especially if it contains work-related or sensitive information.
“At a border checkpoint, a mobile phone can be used to retrieve data and can be infected with spyware. A mobile phone with a prepaid card that can be disposed of after the trip is a safer choice. You should also avoid taking computers, flash drives and other storage media with you,” said the VDD.
The VDD pointed out that Identification of potential recruitment targets takes place already at border checkpoints, with special services posing as border guards or using other disguises – law enforcement authorities or any other Russian or Belarusian authorities. Moreover, Russian and Belarusian special services can obtain information relevant to them during a simple conversation.
The VDD said that Latvian institutions have limited possibilities to help their citizens in difficulties in Russia or Belarus.
The VDD calls for attention to be paid to signs that may indicate contact with a Russian or Belarusian special services agent at a border crossing:
If you suspect contact with a Russian or Belarusian special services agent, the VDD invites you to provide information by calling the service’s 24-hour hotline 67208964 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected] . The VDD guarantees the confidentiality of the person providing the information.
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