Over June and July, residents joined two hands-on trainings at the Lex XXI Human Rights Association to learn how to recognize fake news, protect personal data, and avoid online scams. Organized under the STOP FALS campaign by the The Association of Independent Press (API), the sessions focused on practical skills for navigating today’s information chaos.

Journalist Konstantin Khayretdinov (SP) and SMM manager Dmitry Yeremenko led the workshops, breaking down how disinformation spreads and how fraud schemes work, using real cases and live demonstrations. Participants left with a toolkit for verifying sources, spotting red flags, and keeping themselves—and their families—safe online.

What participants learned

• Spotting fake content: From doctored images to AI-generated clips, attendees practiced telling fact from manipulation.
• Session-specific insights: Some sessions focused on fact-checking and data privacy, while others featured live demonstrations of scam tactics— including a real-time phone call from an online fraudster.
• Recognizing trusted sources: How to vet websites, social posts, and suspicious claims before sharing.
• Tools for confirmation: Apps and browser extensions that help with quick verification and better digital security.

Real stories, real lessons

During the July training, Khayretdinov shared a scam call he received after posting his number on a fraud site—an eye-opening look at classic tricks and how to respond calmly and safely.

Participants across age groups stressed how useful the training felt:

• “This kind of knowledge is essential,” said Vitalii Koziarskii, after recounting how his aunt fell victim to a scam.
• “As someone aged 75, this helps me protect myself,” reflected Iulia Muntean.
• Cristina Komarov was surprised to learn how gaming could expose children—and even parents—to financial loss.
• Civic activist Serghei Tolstolychenko said, “Now I can help inform my community, too.”
• Others underlined the ripple effect of these workshops: “I’ll pass this information on to my family and friends,” pledged Tatyana. “Now I know how to keep my family safe online,” added Elvira.

Everyone received printed brochures summarizing safety tips, verification steps, and the most common online threats—materials they can refer back to and share with others.

These trainings are part of the broader STOP FALS campaign to promote fact-checking and digital awareness across Moldova.

Read more:
July training recap & demonstration of scam call — ESP.md

June fact-checking & online safety session summary — ESP.md (source)