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There has been a rise in the number of fake ‘SBU officers’ in Ukraine. The Service has explained how the fraudsters operate

There has been a rise in the number of fake ‘SBU officers’ in Ukraine. The Service has explained how the fraudsters operate

15 May 2026, 18:30

There has been a rise in the number of fake ‘SBU officers’ in Ukraine. The Service has explained how the fraudsters operate — SBU

The Security Service of Ukraine has noted an increase in the number of fraudulent schemes in which criminals pose as officials of the service in order to defraud members of the public.

This is stated in a report by the SBU.

As noted, fake ‘SBU officers’ contact a person and initially intimidate them with fabricated criminal cases involving alleged treason, financing of the Russian Federation or the purchase of prohibited goods.

To increase the pressure, the scammers often send a fake summons for questioning via a messaging app.

The fraudsters then offer a way to avoid punishment. In most cases, they demand that money be transferred or handed over to them ‘for verification’ or ‘to avoid criminal liability’.

What should you do?

The Security Service of Ukraine urges you to follow these rules:

⁠Record the details of anyone who contacts you. Note down the phone number from which the call came and save screenshots of messages.
Do not disclose your bank card details and do not make urgent money transfers.
Verify all available information. Use only official sources (the Service’s website — ssu.gov.ua, verified social media pages).

If you have been the target of such extortion or have received a suspicious message from someone claiming to be an SBU officer, contact us immediately:

⁠the hotline on: 1516;
⁠by email: [email protected], [email protected];
the ‘Spali FSBshnika’ chatbot: t.me/spaly_fsb_bot.

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