Ukrainian authorities have shut down 94 fraudulent call centers accused of targeting victims with investment scams and attempts to gain access to their bank accounts.
The operation was carried out this week following an investigation involving Ukraine’s National Police, Security Service, Prosecutor General’s Office and German police. Authorities conducted 411 searches as part of the crackdown across the country.
Investigators say the call centers used several methods to steal money and obtain access to victims’ financial accounts. In some cases, scammers impersonated bank employees and contacted people about supposedly suspicious transactions. Victims were threatened with having their accounts blocked unless they made a payment.
Other schemes involved convincing victims to apply for loans, provide payment card information or install remote-access software on their phones and computers.
Some of the call center operators posed as bankers, brokers or law enforcement officers and directed victims to fake investment platforms. The scammers also targeted people in European Union countries, persuading them to invest money through fraudulent brokerage websites and install remote-access programs.
In some cases, fraudsters contacted people who had already lost money to scams and promised to help recover their funds. Instead, the victims were targeted in a second scam.
Police also found call centers promoting products as treatments for different diseases even though the products did not have genuine medicinal properties. Investigators said dedicated teams were used to identify people who showed a real interest in investing.
During the raids, authorities seized 1,794 fully equipped workstations, 3,336 pieces of computer equipment, 1,346 mobile phones, 5,200 SIM cards and 90 bank cards. Investigators also recovered access tools for 20 cryptocurrency wallets and 22 vehicles.
Authorities also seized around $2 million, 64,000 euros and Ukrainian hryvnias in cash, along with 1 kilogram of gold in bars and jewelry.
A total of 26 people have been formally notified that they are suspects in the investigation.
Those involved could face charges under Parts 4 and 5 of Article 190 and Part 3 of Article 209 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code. The offenses carry penalties of up to 12 years in prison and confiscation of property.
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Police are now conducting forensic examinations of the seized equipment. Investigators expect the analysis to help identify victims and determine the scale of their financial losses, while also gathering evidence against the alleged organizers, money mules and individuals involved in laundering the proceeds.
