A Fraudulent Call Center in Kharkiv Scammed Residents of Latvia Out of Hundreds of Thousands of Euros 0 15

More than ten residents of Kharkiv may have worked in a fraudulent call center that robbed EU citizens. The press secretary of the SBU in the Kharkiv region, Vladislav Abdula, specified that it is known that at least six foreigners had over 100,000 euros stolen from them.

Photo: SBU.

For this work, the suspects set up an office in the center of Kharkiv. From there, they called citizens of Latvia and posed as bank employees.

Photo: SBU.

Photo: SBU.

"According to the investigation, the suspects gained access to the online banking of Latvian citizens using their authentication credentials. Subsequently, the criminals entered the personal accounts of the victims, forged electronic signatures, and took out loans in their names. The proceeds were withdrawn through banking institutions and cryptocurrency exchanges, followed by distribution to the electronic wallets of the scheme participants," law enforcement officials established.

The suspects were also involved in investment fraud.

"Under the guise of investments in cryptocurrency and trading, the suspects convinced citizens to invest money in fictitious projects, after which they embezzled the funds and ceased communication with the victims," the SBU noted.

Law enforcement conducted 14 searches at the residences of the suspects as well as at the office, where they seized computer equipment, mobile phones, and documentation with evidence of the illegal activities of the alleged fraudsters.

During the searches, law enforcement seized computer equipment, mobile phones, and documents that could confirm the suspects' involvement in fraudulent activities.

In addition to banking fraud, the suspects are also accused of investment fraud involving cryptocurrency and trading. If the guilt of the detained individuals is proven in court, they face up to 15 years in prison.