In Chernivtsi, Ukrainian and Kazakh police dismantle a large-scale international scam call center
In the picturesque city of Chernivtsi, located at Ukraine’s northern border, national police officers, in collaboration with their Kazakh counterparts, carried out a major operation aimed at dismantling a powerful international scam call center network.
According to the official information released on September 25, law enforcement agencies successfully shut down a large criminal operation that had been organized by a 29-year-old resident of Chernivtsi and a 40-year-old individual from Russia.
This case exemplifies how criminal groups utilize advanced technologies and disguise themselves as officials from law enforcement and banking institutions to orchestrate large-scale fraud schemes across borders.The criminal network was hierarchically structured, with clearly assigned roles among participants: administrators, recruiters, cold callers, closers, technical staff, and even a security squad responsible for maintaining the operation’s integrity.
Administrators oversaw employee performance and conducted training, HR handled recruitment and financial issues, cold callers contacted potential victims, and experienced closers stepped in during conflicts to persuade victims to comply with the scammers’ demands.The scammers posed as representatives of Kazakh law enforcement and banking agencies, using deepfake technology and uniforms to lend authenticity to their operations.
They manipulated victims into making payments, claiming it was due to purported issues with authorities or criminal prosecution.
The illicit proceeds, which exceeded 2.5 million hryvnias monthly, were used to sustain the operation, purchase vehicles, and finance other criminal activities.
One of the ringleaders managed to buy five cars in just half a year.Law enforcement agencies, supported by special forces units such as CORD and the Department of Criminal Investigation, detained the key organizers and participants of this criminal syndicate.
During the raid, they confiscated computers, operational instructions, messaging app correspondence, cryptocurrency wallet records, bank cards, and uniforms mimicking official law enforcement gear from Kazakhstan.
Criminal charges have been filed against six individuals, including the organizer, co-organizer, and four executors.
Penalties under current laws could reach up to 12 years of imprisonment with property confiscation.
All suspects are currently held under detention.This case highlights ongoing efforts by Ukrainian and international authorities to combat cybercrime and financial fraud.
In 2023 alone, Ukrainian law enforcement dismantled over 100 fraudulent call centers, preventing their operations and arresting their leaders.
These criminal schemes, often backed by Russian intelligence agencies, aim to steal personal information and savings from millions of Ukrainians and foreigners, attempting to destabilize society and undermine state security.