In Lviv, law enforcement officers exposed a criminal organization whose participants appropriated about 6 million hryvnias through phishing
The attackers created and sent phishing links under the guise of making social payments. In this way, they gained access to the accounts of more than 1,500 people and later appropriated their money. The defendants were detained, they were informed of the suspicion.
The illegal activities of the eight men were exposed by the officers of the Lviv region cybercrime prevention department together with the investigative department of the Lviv district police department No. 2 of the regional head in cooperation with employees of PrivatBank security services.
Four residents of Kryvyi Rih moved to Lviv region and attracted four more comrades to implement the criminal scheme.
They sent phishing links through social networks and messengers under the pretext of obtaining cash assistance from the President of Ukraine, the UN, UNICEF and other organizations. The interface of fraudulent sites was similar to official government resources and websites of banking institutions.
When people followed the received link, the attackers received citizens' bank card data and logged into online banking accounts. In the future, the defendants replaced the financial phone numbers with controlled ones.
From the accounts of the victims, the attackers paid at gas stations, and also withdrew cash.
According to preliminary data, the members of the group had access to online banking of about 1,500 people. The total amount of losses is 6 million hryvnias.
Police officers conducted searches in homes and cars of intruders. Four dozen mobile phones, computer equipment, bank cards and SIM cards used in illegal activities were seized.
The men were detained under the order of Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
Investigators announced to the defendants suspicions of fraud committed, created and participation in a criminal organization — Part 4 of Art. 190, Part 1, 2 of Art. 255.
Also, three members of the group were notified of suspicions of unauthorized interference in the work of information (automated), electronic communication, information and communication systems, electronic communication networks — part 5 of Art. 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Investigative actions continue.
National Police of Ukraine
