Criminals set up a call center with 20 seats, convincing individuals to invest in cryptocurrency and stocks under the guise of a legitimate exchange. They utilized remote software to display fictitious profits and took control of the victims' computers. Over 30 citizens from the European Union were affected by this scheme.
In Kyiv, law enforcement agencies, including the National Police and the Security Service of Ukraine, along with European partners, exposed the activities of an organized crime group involved in creating fake trading platforms. The criminals misappropriated funds from foreign investors, simulating stock market trades, resulting in millions of dollars in losses for EU citizens.
According to the investigation, the organizer and two accomplices opened a call center in Kyiv with 20 workstations. Employees of the call center contacted potential victims, persuading them to invest in cryptocurrency and securities. The fraudsters promised high returns and showcased fake trading results on global exchanges.
To enhance trust in the platform, so-called VIP client managers installed special remote access software on the victims' computers. This allowed the scammers to control the investors' actions and display fabricated profits. When clients transferred money to cryptocurrency wallets, the funds were immediately cashed out through exchanges in Kyiv.
“The so-called VIP client managers created a false perception of successful trading on global exchanges among the victims. They installed specialized trading software on the computers of the victims through remote access. This enabled the criminals to effectively control the clients' computers and show them fake profits,” the police reported.
Only five victims invested 8.2 million hryvnias in cryptocurrency, but the total amount of losses is still being determined. More than 30 foreign nationals have been identified as victims of this scheme.
During a large-scale special operation, 21 searches were conducted at residences, the call center, and the vehicles of the suspects. Law enforcement seized over $1.4 million in cash, computer equipment, data storage devices, and accounting records.
Three participants of the criminal group have already been notified of suspicion of committing fraud under Part 5 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Investigators have submitted a motion to the court for the detention of the suspects. The identities of 15 more call center employees have also been established, and materials are being prepared for their indictment.
Under current legislation, the participants of the criminal group could face up to 12 years in prison.