Ukraine shuts down 94 scam call centers in nationwide operation

Ukraine has shut down 94 fraudulent call centers in a nationwide operation, according to a statement from the country's Security Service and National Police. The operation, which began last week, involved 411 searches and resulted in the seizure of over 3,330 pieces of computer equipment, 1,346 phones, 5,238 SIM cards, 20 cryptocurrency wallets, and 90 bank cards.

The shutdown eliminated 1,794 operator "workplaces," with organizers reportedly recruiting employees with foreign-language skills and training them using specially prepared scripts. The scammers used various tactics, including posing as investment advisers, luring victims onto fake trading platforms, and using deepfake technology to make their schemes more convincing.

Preliminary estimates put the combined losses of victims at over UAH 100 million ($2.2 million), with the majority of victims being citizens from Ukraine, EU countries, Israel, and Central Asian states. Twenty-six people have been named as suspects, and law enforcement agencies are continuing their investigation.

Brief written by urgent.news from New Voice of Ukraine's own syndicated text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.