In a major crackdown on organized cybercrime, Ukrainian law enforcement dismantled an underground call center in the city of Sumy that specialized in extorting money from vulnerable groups, including teenagers and military personnel. The operation, led by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) alongside the National Police, resulted in the arrest of four organizers running a sophisticated fraud scheme.
According to the investigation, the fraudsters developed two primary psychological manipulation tactics tailored to the age and financial status of their victims. The first scheme specifically targeted underage boys. Suspects created fake social profiles, posing as young women to initiate romantic relationships and set up online ‘dates’ at specific locations.
When the victim arrived at the agreed-upon spot, the scammers requested a selfie with geolocation tags to supposedly confirm their arrival. Immediately after receiving the photo, the trap was sprung. The teenagers were sent a pre-recorded video featuring individuals in Russian military uniforms threatening to launch a targeted missile strike on those exact coordinates. Capitalizing on the panic, a different group of fraudsters posing as Ukrainian law enforcement officers would then call the victim. They accused the teenagers of high treason and aiding the enemy, threatening them with severe prison sentences unless a “ransom” was paid. Terrified, the victims handed over cash savings and family jewelry, which were collected by couriers disguised as taxi drivers.
The second scheme was equally ruthless and targeted Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF) personnel fighting on the front lines. The fraudsters used fake female profiles to build trust with soldiers over extended periods of online communication. Once a strong emotional connection was established, the scammers would plead for financial assistance, claiming they needed urgent funds for critical medical treatment or educational expenses. As soon as the soldiers transferred the money to the provided bank accounts, the scammers would block the victims and delete all correspondence, leaving the defenders robbed of their hard-earned salaries.
The cynic exploitation of both the youth and the military during a state of war highlights the evolving methods of cybercriminals. Following extensive surveillance, heavily armed SBU operatives raided the call center’s “office” and the suspects’ residences. During the searches, law enforcement seized a substantial amount of computer equipment, numerous mobile phones, SIM cards, and bank cards used to process the illicit transactions. Additionally, authorities recovered significant amounts of cash and jewelry obtained through the extortion schemes.
The four organizers are currently in custody and have been officially notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which pertains to fraud committed on a particularly large scale by an organized group. If convicted, the suspects face up to 12 years in prison and the confiscation of all their property. The investigation continues to identify all victims and accomplices. Authorities continue to urge citizens, especially military personnel and youth, to exercise extreme caution in online interactions and verify the identities of digital contacts.