Ukrainian cyber police thwarted a prolific phishing gang that claimed to have earned 160 million hryvnia ($4.3 million) from victims across Europe.
Ukrainian cyber police said in a notice yesterday that more than 30 locations were searched as part of the raid, including the defendants’ homes, vehicles and call centers.
The crackdown seized mobile phones, SIM cards and computer equipment and was attended by officials from the State Security Service (SBU).
The group is said to have created more than 100 phishing sites offering heavily discounted products to lure victims into purchasing. Once the phishers have the victim’s card details, they use it for subsequent scams.
Scammers were also apparently employed at two call centers in Vinnytsia and Lviv, tasked with convincing shoppers to complete purchases on the fake site.
Read more about Ukrainian cybercrime: Ukrainian police raid suspect in million dollar cybercrime ring.
Police claimed to have identified more than 1,000 victims in the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Spain, Portugal, and other European countries.
The operation was carried out in cooperation with the police of the Czech Republic.
Two suspected ringleaders were arrested in Ukraine and another 10 were detained in an unnamed European country.
Suspected leaders of the group will be prosecuted under Part 4 of Art. 190 (Fraud) and Part 1 of Art. 255 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (creation, control and participation in criminal organizations). As a result, they could face up to 12 years in prison.
Ukrainian police have scored a string of victories in recent months. Last June, they lured locals with promises of financial support from the EU for him and arrested another phishing gang suspected of earning 100 million hryvnia ($3.4 million).
In November of the same year, five Ukrainians were arrested as part of a large-scale crackdown on an online fraud gang believed to be responsible for an estimated $200 million in losses.
