Cyber police expose bot-farm organizers who spread hostile propaganda and engaged in Internet fraud
The defendants used fake accounts in social networks to conduct informational and psychological operations of the aggressor, justify the actions of Russians, distribute illegal content, distribute personal data and fraud.
Preventive measures under the conditional name “Botoferma” lasted for a month. Cyberpolice, together with the investigative units of the National Police, conducted 21 sanctioned searches and seized computer equipment, mobile phones, more than 250 GSM gateways and about 150 thousand SIM cards of various mobile operators.
In particular, law enforcement officers exposed residents of Vinnytsia, Zaporizhia and Lviv. In total, more than 100 people were involved for the functioning of the botfarms.
Cyberpolice found that the attackers used special equipment and software to register thousands of bot accounts in various social networks with the subsequent launch of advertising, which violated the norms and legislation of Ukraine.
In addition to spreading hostile propaganda, the accounts were also used for unauthorized distribution on the Internet of personal data of Ukrainian citizens, in Internet fraud schemes, and for sending knowingly false messages about threats to citizens' safety, destruction or damage to property.
Criminal proceedings have been opened under Art. 361 (Unauthorized interference in the work of information (automated), electronic communication, information and communication systems, electronic communication networks), Art. 361-2 (Unauthorized sale or distribution of information with restricted access stored in electronic computers (computers), automated systems, computer networks or on media of such information), Art. 190 (Fraud), Art. 259 (Knowingly false report of a threat to the safety of citizens, destruction or damage to property objects) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Investigative actions continue.
National Police of Ukraine
