The National Police liquidated the interregional network of botfarms with 5,000 fake accounts to destabilize the socio-political situation in Ukraine
The defendants spread misinformation about the activities of the top military-political leadership of Ukraine, false reports about “terrorist attacks” in Ukrainian cities. Worked for an audience of almost 200 thousand users. As a result of a large-scale special operation, the cells of “growing” bots in 9 regions of Ukraine were eliminated.
The attackers created more than 5 thousand anonymous accounts on social networks Facebook, Instagram and Twitter. In addition, the investigation found that the defendants spread false information about “terrorist attacks” and “mining” of objects with large crowds of people in order to sow panic among the population.
As a result of a large-scale special operation of the National Police and SBU, 9 botfarms in Ternopil, Poltava, Cherkasy, Sumy, Lviv, Chernivtsi, Kharkiv, Mykolaiv and Transcarpathian regions were neutralized.
During the searches, hardware and software complexes for the “cultivation” of bots were found, which were installed in their own homes or in the office premises of the defendants.
During the searches, computer equipment with evidence of illegal activity was seized from the attackers, in particular bank cards to which funds were transferred for spreading fakes, 5 thousand SIM cards of Ukrainian mobile operators, GSM gateways and other specialized equipment.
The investigation is carried out within the framework of open criminal proceedings under Art. 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized interference in the operation of electronic computers (computers), automated systems, computer networks or telecommunication networks). Investigative actions are underway to bring all persons involved in the mentioned crimes to justice.
National Police of Ukraine
