Cyberpolice of Cherkasy region exposed a group of attackers in appropriating more than UAH 2 million from citizens' bank cards
The group made payments in POS-terminals using the compromised data of citizens' bank cards. To implement the criminal scheme, those involved even registered fictitious entrepreneurs. Offenders are threatened with up to 8 years in prison for the crime.
The fraudulent scheme was exposed by employees of the department of combating cybercrimes of the Cherkasy region together with the investigative department of the police of the region and with the assistance of employees of the Privatbank security service.
Organized illegal activities by a 30-year-old resident of the city. Smila. A man on the channels in the messenger bought databases with compromised data of bank cards of citizens.
Further, involving four more citizens in illegal activities, the attacker “tied” the victims' bank data to payment systems and, using NFC technology, the defendants made payments in POS terminals. The attackers bought equipment that was resold.
Also, in order to appropriate citizens' money, the group registered sole proprietors to obtain their own POS-terminals and carry out calculations using them.
In this way, the attackers searched citizens for more than 2 million hryvnias.
During the operational measures, the cyber police found that the “sellers” of compromised bank data received information through phishing. Fake links copied delivery services from ad sites. Currently, the attackers who spread the phishing links are being established.
In the homes of the participants of the fraudulent scheme and in their cars, law enforcement officers conducted searches with the involvement of a battalion of special purpose police. According to the results, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards, POS-terminals were removed.
Criminal proceedings under Part 3 of Art. 190 (Fraud), Part 2 of Art. 361 (Unauthorized interference in the work of information (automated), electronic communication, information and communication systems, electronic communication networks) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Those involved can face up to eight years in prison.
Procedural management is carried out by the Cherkasy Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Cyberpolice remind citizens of the need to follow basic recommendations on the security of online payments, so as not to become victims of such schemes. In the case of buying on ad platforms, discuss the details of the transaction only in the chat of this platform and do not go to third-party messengers: there attackers can send phishing links to obtain your banking data. You also need to carefully check the URL of the site, do not tell anyone card data, passwords and other information that can be used to confirm payments, regularly check the history of transactions in online banking applications.
Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
