Ukrainian police have dismantled a network of fraudulent call centres that defrauded 135 people in Germany of more than €4.3 million, dpa reported via Agerpres. International operation “Trade” led to the arrest of the alleged organiser and three others; another suspected co-organiser is under house arrest. If convicted, they face up to 12 years in prison.

According to Ukraine’s National Police, the suspects posed as financial advisers or brokers. Using IP telephony, messaging apps and social engineering, they persuaded victims to invest in cryptocurrencies, shares and other instruments on fake platforms. In some cases they also gained online-banking access; proceeds were moved through accounts, exchanges and transit wallets.

The probe was coordinated with German authorities in a joint investigation team (JIT). The group reportedly operated in other EU countries too. Since August, police said they carried out 39 searches in Kyiv and nearby areas, and in the Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia and Ivano-Frankivsk regions.

Those raids seized the equivalent of about €100,000 in cash, crypto wallets, phones, IT gear, SIM cards and other evidence, dpa said. A second wave of searches in September brought further cash and device seizures, according to the official Ukrainian statement.

The case remains at the investigation stage: arrests and announced sums are not a conviction. Ukrainian and German authorities continue tracing the network and money flows.

Source: O schemă de fraudă prin call-center din Ucraina a obținut 4,3 milioane de euro de la victime din Germania (Agerpres); Operation Trade: fraudulent call-centre network (National Police of Ukraine)