A fraudulent call centre that defrauded people of over 2.7 million hryvnias has been uncovered in Lviv
Cyber police officers from the Lviv region, in collaboration with investigators from the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine and cyber experts from the Security Service of Ukraine’s Lviv Regional Office, have uncovered an organised group that was defrauding citizens of Ukraine and European Union countries via a specialised call centre.
According to the investigation, the scheme was organised by two residents of Lviv Oblast. They subsequently recruited four more people, one of whom was a minor.
The suspects posed as financial services staff and convinced people that they could help recover funds allegedly lost on investment platforms. They also offered additional financial services and persuaded the victims to make further transfers.
According to the investigation, the funds received were transferred to cryptocurrency wallets and exchanges under their control. The money was subsequently withdrawn as cash and distributed among the group members.
Six victims have so far been identified. The total amount of losses exceeds 2.7 million hryvnias, or more than 50,000 euros in equivalent value.
On 25 June 2026, law enforcement officers carried out a cyber operation and shut down the call centre’s operations. As part of the investigation, 13 searches were conducted at the premises where the call centre operated, at the suspects’ homes and in their vehicles.
During the investigative operations, computer equipment, mobile phones, digital storage media, SIM cards, draft records, and cash in various currencies totalling over 4 million hryvnias were seized. The origin of these funds is being investigated.
Six members of the group have been served with notices of suspicion. The two organisers are charged with organising fraud, whilst the other four suspects are charged with fraud.
Five suspects have been remanded in custody, with the option of bail. The juvenile suspect has been placed under house arrest.
Proceedings have also been initiated to seize the suspects’ assets, including two flats, 10 luxury cars and over 100,000 US dollars.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are identifying all the victims and possible accomplices.
