Law enforcement officers successfully conducted a comprehensive special operation across Ukraine, which resulted in the liquidation of over 100 call centers in one day. These call centers were drawing their victims into fraudulent schemes, harming both Ukrainians and foreign citizens by stealing personal data and savings.
According to the investigation, the attackers made various promises to their potential victims, including the opportunity to “earn money on the stock exchange,” “invest” in cryptocurrency, and receive dubious “profits” from betting in the gambling business. The perpetrators also invented various profitable pretexts, such as unforeseen circumstances, to lure money.
In addition, it was discovered that some of these call centers operated as online casinos for well-known brokerage companies and bookmakers. During the operations, the attackers collected personal data of their clients, including passport details and phone numbers.
The investigation indicates the possibility of transferring this collected data to Russian special services for use in remote recruitment of new agents. During searches of call centers and residences of the organizers, a significant amount of computer equipment, mobile phones and other evidence of crimes were seized.
An investigation is currently underway within the framework of criminal proceedings under Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud), with the aim of notifying the suspects of suspicion and deciding on the choice of a preventive measure. The revealed facts of fraud may be punishable by up to 12 years in prison.
It is important to note that in recent months, the Security Service of Ukraine has shut down more than 30 call centers in various regions of the country, many of which were coordinated by Russian special services. For example, in one case in Vinnytsia, a call center that collaborated with Russian criminality was liquidated, and similar large-scale schemes have been uncovered in other regions.
