In the Lviv region, the SBU exposed a fraudulent call center that was deceiving men through dating websites.
The SBU, in cooperation with the police, uncovered a fraudulent call center in Stryi, organized by three local residents aged 21–23 years. The perpetrators deceived at least 80 men from Ukraine, the EU, and Georgia through dating websites, convincing them to download malicious software that provided access to online banking. During the searches, equipment, cash, and evidence of the crime were seized.
The SBU and the prosecutor's office of Lviv Oblast uncovered a fraudulent call center in Stryj, organized by two local residents in their late 23s and their 21-year-old friend. The perpetrators deceived at least 80 men, whom they met through dating websites.
According to the investigation, the members of the group posed as women, gained the trust of their contacts, and convinced them to download a harmful program that provided access to online banking. To operate the call center, the fraudsters rented two apartments in Stryy, equipping them with computer equipment and electronic communication tools.
Communication and coordination of actions were carried out in a private group on Telegram, where the perpetrators provided schedules of work, instructions on how to deceive, and tracked the stolen money. In addition to the malicious software, employees of the call center used a neural network that changed male voices into female voices in real-time.
During the searches, law enforcement seized computer equipment, storage devices, mobile phones, bank cards, handwritten notes, and cash in various currencies, totaling approximately 2 million UAH. Three suspects have been informed of suspicions, including the first application of a new article of the Criminal Code.