A joint cyber probe exposed a call center fraud ring that diverted over 300,000 euros from EU victims. Investigators expect further arrests.
A joint operation by Ukrainian and Latvian law enforcement led to the arrest of two participants in a fraud scheme that swindled funds from EU citizens and transferred them to accounts of front persons. The total amount of losses exceeds 300 thousand euros.
Confirmation has been received from the heads of law enforcement agencies: the information was confirmed by the Prosecutor General of Ukraine, Ruslan Kravchenko.
As part of the Joint Investigation Team (JIT) of Ukraine and Latvia, during the international cyber operation Scammer, conducted with the support of Europol and Eurojust, two Ukrainians involved in running a fraudulent call center were uncovered,
– Prosecutor General’s Office of Ukraine
Case chronology and consequences
The criminals called EU citizens, posed as police officers or bank employees, and persuaded them to invest funds in allegedly profitable investment schemes. Then they gained remote access to the victims’ online banking and transferred the money to the accounts of front persons.
According to the investigation, at least 20 victims have been recorded in Latvia. The total amount of losses exceeds 300 thousand euros.
The scheme involved a 25-year-old woman and a 24-year-old man. They recruited so-called “drops”, opened accounts in their names at European banks, and organized cash withdrawals and distribution.
During searches in Ukraine, with the participation of Latvian law enforcement, the detainees were identified at their place of residence.
They were charged under Part 3 of Article 195 of the Latvian Criminal Code (laundering funds obtained by criminal means).
Other individuals involved are being identified.
The case materials also mention schemes using fake payments from international organizations and energy companies, highlighting the need for caution with financial offers and verification of sources of funds.
In Kyiv, law enforcement previously uncovered organizers who attracted over 20 million hryvnias from citizens under the guise of investments and moved the funds to their own accounts.
The Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine provides support in information outreach regarding this case.
– Ruslan Kravchenko