ChainCatcher reported that Ukrainian authorities have dismantled a criminal gang that deceived citizens of Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan and the European Union through fraudulent call centers, promising profitable cryptocurrency investments.

Ukrainian National Police detained 14 suspects, including the alleged organizers, and confiscated 12 luxury cars, 136 computer devices, 951 SIM cards, 455 starter packs and large amounts of cash. Two Georgian nationals, aged 49 and 51, are accused of masterminding the scheme and recruiting 12 others to operate the fraudulent call center.

These call centers impersonate stock exchange experts and use psychological tactics to convince victims to invest in cryptocurrencies, ultimately transferring their funds to the criminals’ e-wallets and bank cards. Each accomplice has a specific role, from designing the fraud scheme to recruiting employees and distributing the proceeds.