A large-scale fraud network operating abroad has been uncovered in Zakarpattia, causing millions in losses to European citizens
As part of a joint operation by Ukrainian and Czech law enforcement agencies, the activity of an illegal organization was exposed and halted. This organization had established a massive call center in Zakarpattia and, using fake investment platforms, scammed hundreds of citizens from EU countries, resulting in damages amounting to millions of euros. This was reported by the Czech Police press service, citing data from Ukrainian law enforcement and Europol’s European Cybercrime Centre. According to information, the special operation took place at the end of April – beginning of May and was the result of a six-month joint investigation involving Ukrainian and Czech authorities with support from Europol. During the raids, 70 suspects were detained, including four who held leadership positions within the criminal group. A substantial amount of technical equipment was seized—hundreds of computers, servers, and communication devices used for criminal activity. The call center itself, located across two floors of a renovated building in Zakarpattia region, was equipped with a comprehensive electronic control system, hundreds of surveillance cameras, and an electronic access system that allowed security personnel to monitor every movement of employees. The premises also housed its own server rooms, and the perimeter was guarded by armed security personnel. Law enforcement carried out searches not only in the office but also at the suspects’ residences, which helped gather additional evidence of their involvement and operational methods. Preliminary estimates suggest that in the Czech Republic alone, fraudsters stole about 9 million Czech crowns — over 360,000 euros — from 37 citizens. The scammers created false investment platforms with seemingly minor suspicious signs that still allowed them to deceive potential victims. They devised a complex scheme involving the development of mobile applications that facilitated remote access to the compromised devices. During interactions, they would trick clients into downloading malicious software, gaining control over their gadgets. Subsequently, the scammers would convert the “investment” funds into cryptocurrency, complicating efforts to track illicit proceeds and enabling them to maintain anonymity. The scale of the operation is so large that the total number of potential victims across the European Union could reach tens of thousands, with losses accumulating into millions of euros for entire communities. Final calculations are ongoing, but initial estimates indicate that the damages are significant. In addition to active operational measures, intelligence-based operations included searches at a fully equipped office in one of the residential neighborhoods of the region. Authorities found entire server rooms with archives and data confirming involvement in fraudulent schemes. Over the course of the investigation, hundreds of network devices—including communication equipment, phones, and computers—were seized, quickly becoming crucial evidence in the criminal case. Law enforcement has already charged the leaders of the organized criminal group under Ukrainian criminal code articles, specifically for large-scale fraud. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing, and authorities aim to establish all connections and circumstances involving other individuals linked to this fraudulent call center. It is important to highlight that this case exemplifies the fight against transnational crime, actively involving digital crime schemes and cybercriminal activities. The governments of Ukraine and the Czech Republic demonstrate solidarity and readiness to combat organized crime in all its forms, contributing to the dismantling of large-scale criminal schemes and delivering justice to the affected citizens.