In Kyiv, a call center defrauded foreign investors of hundreds of thousands of dollars — suspicion has been declared against those involved in the case

Investigators of the Main Investigation Department, together with EU law enforcement officers, with the support of the cyber police and the Security Service of Ukraine in the Kharkiv region, have exposed an organized group that carried out fraudulent schemes, defrauding citizens of the European Union. More than 30 foreigners became victims of this criminal activity.

According to the National Police and the Prosecutor General’s Office, the criminals created pseudo-trading platforms and a call center in Kyiv, which employed 20 people. Through this center, they tried to attract clients to invest in cryptocurrency and shares of little-known companies.

“VIP client managers” created the illusion of successful trading for victims by using specialized software to control clients’ computers and generate fictitious profits remotely.

After receiving funds on a crypto wallet, the fraudsters converted them into cash through exchangers in Kyiv. Five victims invested about 8.2 million hryvnias in cryptocurrency. The final amount of the damage is still being determined.

During the special operation, 21 searches were conducted at the call center, at the suspects’ residences, and in their cars. Law enforcement officers seized more than 1.4 million dollars, 5.8 million hryvnias, and 17 thousand euros in cash, as well as computer equipment, data carriers, and draft records.

Three members of the organized criminal group were charged with suspicion under Articles 27 (3) and 190 (5) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – fraud committed by an organized group. The prosecutor’s office filed a motion to select a preventive measure of detention. Another 15 call center employees are also being identified, for whom materials are being prepared to report the suspicion. Participants in the scheme face up to 12 years in prison.

Prosecutor General of Ukraine Ruslan Kravchenko noted that international cooperation is yielding results: “Recently in The Hague, we discussed joint actions against cross-border call centers and investment fraud, and today we have a concrete result. Together with European partners, the activities of a criminal group that was defrauding EU citizens were stopped.”

According to preliminary data, 25 victims lost about $250,000. The scheme could have been cynical and straightforward: a 31-year-old native of the Donetsk region and two of his associates created a call center and fake investment platforms, hiring staff to lure money from potential investors without any intention of returning it.

Only recently, 19 searches were conducted in Kyiv. Evidence of fraudulent activity was seized, including correspondence, CRM systems, victims’ personal data, computer equipment, and significant amounts of cash.

Three suspects have already been informed of the suspicion, and the prosecutor’s office has filed a motion with the court to detain them. In parallel, the identification of the persons involved in this fraudulent scheme is ongoing.

This case highlights the effectiveness of international cooperation: borders are no longer an obstacle to justice. Those who deceive people both in Ukraine and abroad will be held accountable.