A fraudulent call center has been exposed in Kharkiv—complete with a polygraph, conversation scripts, and corporate control—which defrauded Latvians of over 100,000 euros, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko reported on social media on Friday, UNN reports.
Details
"An office in Kharkiv, full technical equipment for the operation of a fraudulent call center, a clear division of roles, and prepared conversation scripts for staff. For internal control—polygraph testing, video surveillance, and a checkpoint regime.
This is how a criminal group operated, engaging in investment fraud and 'lost investment recovery' schemes targeting citizens of European countries," Kravchenko wrote.
According to the Prosecutor General, its exposure was the result of the work of a joint investigative team from Ukraine and Latvia, coordinated by Eurojust.
"Initially, six Latvian citizens were identified from whom over 100,000 euros were stolen. Subsequently, within the framework of the investigation, at least 50 more victims were identified in Latvia and other countries," Kravchenko reported.
The investigation, according to him, established that the perpetrators focused on people who had previously fallen victim to fraud. "They were offered alleged assistance in recovering stolen assets. Special attention was paid to elderly people, exploiting their vulnerability," he indicated.
"Gaining their trust, the participants of the scheme obtained access to the victims' online banking, entered personal accounts and profiles, and took out quick loans. The funds obtained were withdrawn through physical banks and converted into virtual assets," the Prosecutor General continued.
In parallel, according to him, a scheme of pseudo-investments in cryptocurrency and trading was operating. "Victims were called with 'lucrative' offers, shown fictitious profits, and when people tried to receive their 'payouts,' they were swindled out of funds for an alleged 'commission' and the perpetrators disappeared," the Prosecutor General said.
As part of the international cyber operation, two organizers and three members of the criminal group were detained. They have been notified of suspicion, and preventive measures have been chosen. The issue of seizing property is being decided,
With the participation of representatives from the Central Criminal Police Department of the Republic of Latvia, according to the Prosecutor General, "14 searches were conducted in Kharkiv and the Kharkiv region; computer equipment, 49 mobile phones, vehicles, and other evidence of illegal activity were seized."
"We are analyzing the seized equipment, identifying other victims, episodes of criminal activity, and all involved persons. We continue our work," Kravchenko emphasized.
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