An international fraudulent call centre that defrauded EU citizens under the guise of investments has been uncovered in Ukraine. According to the National Police, the total damage exceeds 100 million hryvnia (approximately $2,314,000), with a total of 113 EU citizens affected.
Separately, the police documented seven victims and damages amounting to more than 8.2 million hryvnia (approximately $190,000). The investigation is currently focused on this group.
The scheme was based on fake investment platforms. The suspects created websites that looked like legitimate trading and investment services, set up a call centre, and contacted EU citizens via phone calls and messengers. The operators presented themselves as employees of investment companies, persuaded people to invest in various financial instruments, showed impressive growth in returns in personal accounts, and encouraged victims to transfer more and more money.
After the funds were transferred, access to the platform was blocked. The money was withdrawn and cashed out via controlled financial channels, and all contact with the consultants was cut off.
As part of the case, police conducted 24 searches at the residences of the participants and in their vehicles. They seized computers, mobile phones containing databases of victims, access credentials to fake trading platforms, draft notes, bank cards, as well as two luxury cars used by members of the group.
Six other participants have already been notified of suspicion of creating and participating in a criminal organisation and committing fraud on an especially large scale. Under these charges, they face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The suspects have been detained.
The National Police of Ukraine report that they managed to track down this group following a previous stage of documenting the activities of the international call centre, conducted in November 2025. The investigation is ongoing, with other participants in the scheme and new episodes being identified.
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