On August 7, 2024, it was a significant day in the fight against international financial fraud, when law enforcement officers from several countries conducted a successful special operation that led to the detention of 12 members of an organized criminal group. There are two citizens of Ukraine among the detainees. The group has been in operation since 2021, organizing a network of fraudulent call centers with about 400 people.
According to the press service of the National Police of Ukraine, the fraudulent scheme was well organized and used massively online advertising for victims. Due to fake ads, scams offered Romania citizens investment opportunities with a promise of fast and safe profit. In practice, these investments were a fiction, and the purpose of the attackers was to deceive people and steal their money.
The operation performed through the international cooperation of law enforcement agencies from Ukraine, Moldova, Romania, Europol and Eurosta has allowed to eliminate this criminal scheme. More than 100 computers, dozens of phones, bank cards, firearms, 10 cars and about $ 35,000 have been identified and seized. In Ukraine, equipment and more than UAH 2.4 million have been confiscated.
It is important to note that the investigation continues. Romania continues to check 120 criminal proceedings related to a fraudulent scheme, in which the victims have lost about 1.2 million euros. According to the Moldavian criminal law, the detainee threatens up to 15 years in prison.
This operation was the result of the coordinated work of international law enforcement agencies that have proven effective in combating transnational crime. The elimination of this organized criminal group is an important step in preventing such fraud in the future and protecting citizens from financial crimes.
