A special operation was carried out in 20 regions of the state in which more than 500 employees of the National Police participated in order to stop an extensive criminal network and carry out investigative actions.
As a result, 56 criminals who sent phishing links to obtain data on citizens' bank cards were exposed. In this way, the offenders gained access to the accounts, from which they appropriated about 15 million hryvnias. About this official sites of both clubs report in the department.
The illegal activities of the fraudsters were exposed by the employees of the Cyber Police Department together with the Main Investigation Department of the National Police and operatives of the Criminal Investigation Department.
During the investigation, the police established 11 communities: criminals united on closed thematic channels and forums. Administrators of such communities posted announcements about "part-time work": those willing had to create and send out phishing links, which are very similar to links of official resources, in order to obtain bank card data of citizens.
Phishing was disguised in various ways: from offers to make cash payments to the sale of various goods, mostly household appliances. The participants also searched for potential victims on online shopping sites. Criminals wrote to sellers of goods, pretending to be buyers. Correspondence was transferred to third-party messengers, where phishing links were sent. On the fraudulent sites, it was suggested to enter bank card data, allegedly for crediting money for the sold goods.
After that, the information about the bank cards entered by the victims on the fraudulent sites automatically became known to those involved. In the future, they "withdrew" citizens' money to controlled accounts.
According to preliminary data, more than 10 citizens were affected by illegal activities. At this time, it is known that the involved parties embezzled 15 million hryvnias, but the final amount of damages will be established during the investigation.
Police officers identified 56 persons involved in the fraud, and then conducted searches at the places of residence of the persons involved in 20 regions of Ukraine. According to their results, mobile phones, computer equipment, bank cards, which were used in illegal activities, were seized.
Investigators are investigating criminal proceedings under Part 3, 4 of Art. 190 (Fraud) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Materials are being prepared for the announcement of suspected criminals.
Procedural management is carried out by prosecutors of the General Prosecutor's Office.
The Cyber Police reminds citizens of the danger of following suspicious hyperlinks. Any differences in the URL may indicate that the user has landed on a phishing site. We recommend that you never enter confidential information, including bank card details, on suspicious sites. When selling or buying goods on classifieds platforms, discuss the details of the deal only in the chat of this platform and do not go to third-party messengers: because fraudsters can send phishing links.
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