Investigators uncovered a carefully divided operation, complete with scripts, recruitment checks and technical support, targeting victims far beyond Ukraine’s borders.

The Security Service of Ukraine, together with Latvian law enforcement officers, uncovered an organized criminal group in Kharkiv whose members defrauded citizens of the Republic of Latvia. According to the investigation, the victims suffered losses of more than €100,000.

The criminal scheme operated through a so-called scam call center based in Kharkiv. Its employees called Latvian citizens and, under various pretexts, gained access to their funds.

How the scam call center operated

Law enforcement officers documented the activities of four residents of Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region who were involved in the scheme. After conducting searches and analyzing the seized equipment, investigators established the involvement of other call center employees.

Each member of the criminal organization had specific duties. Those involved included:

operators who made initial “cold” calls to potential victims;
an employee responsible for the call center’s technical operations;
an HR manager who recruited staff and arranged polygraph tests for candidates before hiring.

At least nine people aged between 17 and 47 were involved in the illegal activities. Their roles and responsibilities were distributed among them.

What was found during the searches

In May 2026, law enforcement officers conducted searches at eight residences of the suspects in Kharkiv, in five vehicles, and in the non-residential premises where the call center operated.

During the investigative actions, they seized:

mobile phones, a tablet, and computer equipment containing evidence of fraudulent activity;
starter packs from a foreign mobile operator;
handwritten notes;
documentation containing scripts for communicating with “clients.”

Earlier in the criminal proceedings, five more Ukrainian citizens aged between 26 and 37 were served notices of suspicion. According to the investigation, they participated in organizing and operating the scam call center.

Members of the scheme were served notices of suspicion

Based on the evidence collected, the suspects were served notices of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

Parts 1 and 2 of Article 255 – establishing or leading a criminal association or criminal organization, as well as participating in one;
Parts 4 and 5 of Article 190 – fraud committed on a large or especially large scale or by an organized group;
Part 5 of Article 361 – unauthorized interference with the operation of information, electronic communications, and information and communication systems.

The suspects could face up to 15 years in prison under the charges brought against them.

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are identifying all members of the criminal organization and checking whether the suspects may have been involved in other fraud cases.

The operation was conducted by officers of the Security Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region together with the Main Investigative Department of the National Police of Ukraine and with the participation of representatives of the State Police of the Republic of Latvia. The measures were carried out as part of international cooperation under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.