Eight defendants in the case involving an international fraudulent call centre are to stand trial in Chernivtsi
In Chernivtsi, the organiser and seven members of a criminal organisation are to stand trial, accused of setting up an international fraud scheme. The indictment against the eight defendants has already been submitted to the court.
According to the investigation, a fraudulent call centre operated in Chernivtsi for almost a year, with its members posing as employees of the National Security Committee, law enforcement agencies, banking institutions and the National Bank of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Victims were told of an alleged risk of losing their funds, their accounts being used in illegal transactions, or potential problems with law enforcement agencies. They were then persuaded to urgently transfer their savings to so-called ‘safe accounts’.
The investigation established that the criminal organisation was set up by a resident of Chernivtsi and a Russian national. The call centre operated under a clear hierarchy, with roles divided between administrators, HR specialists, operators, technical staff and other members.
To build trust, they used the personal data of Kazakhstani citizens, modern communication tools, psychological manipulation techniques, and uniforms, whilst deepfake technology was employed during video calls. Operations were coordinated via private Telegram chats, where victims’ data was stored, tasks were allocated and work results were recorded.
According to law enforcement agencies, the funds obtained were used to run the call centre and purchase assets, including cars. The monthly running costs of the office, according to the investigation, amounted to approximately 2.5 million UAH.
The call centre’s operations were shut down in September 2025. The operation to expose and arrest the suspects was carried out by operatives from the Strategic Investigations Directorate in the Chernivtsi region, investigators from the regional police, staff from the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor’s Office and the Department for Combating Cybercrime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The investigation was carried out as part of a joint investigative team comprising Ukraine and the Republic of Kazakhstan.
According to the investigation, hundreds of Kazakhstani citizens were affected by the suspects’ actions. Some case files refer to 114 victims and losses amounting to over 30.5 million hryvnias.
The accused are charged with establishing and participating in a criminal organisation under parts one and two of Article 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, as well as fraud under part five of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
The organiser and four of the accused are in custody. Preventive measures have been imposed on the other suspects, including house arrest and detention with the option of bail.
The offences carry a maximum penalty of 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt has been proven in accordance with the law and established by a court conviction.
