The National Police of Ukraine (NPU) said it disrupted a cryptocurrency fraud scheme involving a network of call centers that targeted victims of cryptocurrency scams by offering them to recover stolen funds.
The fraudsters were also allegedly involved in scamming citizens of Ukraine and European Union countries interested in cryptocurrency, securities, gold, and oil investments.
According to the NPU’s press release, the scammers used high-tech equipment and software that allowed them to spoof phone numbers to appear like they are belonging to financial institutions. Under the guise of banks’ employees fraudsters tricked victims into providing their credit card data. The criminals behind the scheme also used previously created websites and platforms for exchange trading of currency and cryptocurrency, securities, gold and oil to attract funds of foreign citizens guaranteeing excessive profits in a short time.
Using databases with info about foreign citizens that previously were targeted in cryptocurrency scams the cybercriminal gang contacted victims and under the guise of the so-called “Community of cryptocurrency brokers” offered them to recover the stolen funds for a “commission.” After tricking victims into transferring money into their bank accounts the scammers would cut contact with the victims.
During authorized searches at the location of illegal “call centers” linked to this cybercrime scheme the police seized computer equipment, mobile phones, and data records that confirm illegal activity.