Fake News Campaigns Target Romanians on Social Media, Officials Report

Romanian authorities have issued urgent warnings about a wave of sophisticated disinformation campaigns targeting citizens through social media platforms. The Interior Ministry (MAI) and Defense Ministry (MApN) report these campaigns are specifically designed to manipulate public opinion by stoking fears about war and military conscription.

“False information is being spread regarding the so-called closure of border crossing points. We reiterate our appeal to citizens not to share such messages and to seek information from official sources,” the Interior Ministry stated in a public announcement.

The campaigns have intensified since December 2024, when Romania’s presidential elections were canceled, though officials note that misinformation has been a growing problem since the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent disinformation efforts have taken increasingly sophisticated forms, with forged documents circulating that falsely summon Romanian men living abroad to return home for alleged military recruitment.

Defense Ministry officials have categorically debunked these claims, stating: “The disinformation we are highlighting continues a series of actions that exploit the context created by the war of aggression currently waged by the Russian Federation in Ukraine.” The Ministry emphasized that the “Recruitment Directorate” mentioned in the forged documents does not exist, and that compulsory military service in Romania has been suspended during peacetime since January 1, 2007.

Additionally, videos purporting to show military equipment moving across Romania have been widely shared on social platforms, further contributing to public anxiety. These fabricated materials appear designed to create panic by suggesting an imminent military conflict that would require Romanian involvement.

Romania’s National Directorate for Cyber Security (DNSC) has noted that these attacks represent a concerning evolution in disinformation tactics, often combining false information with phishing attempts to collect sensitive personal data. In one documented case, hackers compromised a Facebook page with millions of followers and used it to distribute sponsored advertisements in various European languages, redirecting users to sites containing false information about Romanian elections and fraudulent investment schemes.

The growing sophistication of these campaigns suggests coordination and resources beyond typical online scams. Security experts have noted similarities between these tactics and those observed in other Eastern European countries that border Ukraine, indicating a potential pattern of destabilization efforts across the region.

Romanian authorities are taking these threats seriously, with both the Interior and Defense Ministries announcing plans to notify judicial authorities and identify those responsible for creating and spreading the disinformation. Under Romanian law, the intentional dissemination of false news carries serious penalties, including prison terms of up to five years.

The government is urging citizens to verify information through official channels before sharing content on social media. They recommend checking government websites and official social media accounts of state institutions for accurate information during times of heightened disinformation activities.

This wave of disinformation comes at a sensitive time for Romania, which shares a border with Ukraine and has been an important NATO ally in providing support during the ongoing Russian invasion. Security analysts suggest that creating confusion and anxiety among Romanian citizens could be aimed at undermining public support for Ukraine and creating domestic pressure against Romania’s strategic position within NATO.

Government officials have promised increased vigilance and transparency to counter these campaigns as they continue to evolve.