Unauthorized Interference in Internet Banking and Drug Sales: Law Enforcement Detained Capital Dealers
The 36-year-old Kiev resident involved 11 more people in illegal activities. With the help of phishing, the participants of the criminal organization appropriated about UAH 17 million from the bank accounts of citizens of Ukraine. In addition, the attackers carried out the production and sale of narcotic substances.
In order to gain access to the Internet banking software that a private notary uses in their activities, the participants of the OZH distributed the malware and reissued the SIM card. In the future, the attackers transferred money from the accounts of citizens to the so-called “drops”, of which the defendants had 59 at their disposal.
The indicated funds were then withdrawn from the accounts and distributed among all members of the criminal organization. Previously, the established amount of losses is 17 million hryvnias.
At the addresses of the accomplices, the police conducted sanctioned searches and found that this criminal group is also engaged in the cultivation and sale of narcotic substances, namely cannabis.
During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized computer equipment, bank cards, mobile phones, SIM cards, money, flash drives, as well as equipment for the cultivation of drugs, smoking devices, zip bags, more than 140 cannabis bushes and more than 500 grams of cannabis.
Currently, criminal proceedings have been initiated under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
- part 4 of Article 190 - fraud,
- Part 3 of Article 361 — unauthorized interference in the operation of electronic computers (computers), automated systems, computer networks or telecommunication networks,
- Part 1, 2 of Article 255 — creation, leadership of a criminal community or criminal organization, as well as participation in it,
- Part 3 of Article 307 — illegal production, manufacture, acquisition, storage, transportation, transfer or sale of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues),
- Part 2 of Article 310 — sowing or growing of dreamy poppy or hemp,
- Part 2 of Article 317 — organization or maintenance of places for the illegal use, production or manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues,
- Part 3 of Art. 313 — Abduction, appropriation, extortion of equipment intended for the manufacture of narcotic drugs, psychotropic substances or their analogues, or possession of it by fraud or abuse of office, and other illegal activities with such equipment.
Investigators reported the suspicion of 12 defendants in committing a number of these crimes and petitioned the court to choose preventive measures in the form of detention. The defendants face up to 12 years in prison.
National Police of Ukraine
