Cyberpolice exposed roommates who searched citizens under the scheme of reissuing SIM cards
The attackers took over the financial mobile numbers of citizens by reissuing SIM cards. Thus, they appropriated more than 600 thousand hryvnias.
Fraudulent actions of a couple of roommates were exposed by the officers of the Cybercrime Office of the Dnipropetrovsk Region together with the Investigative Department of the Kryvyi Rih Police Department.
Two residents of Kryvyi Rih, aged 31-32, chose numbers available for purchase on the websites of mobile operators. Among the offers, we searched for those that were previously indicated in the databases of legal entities, or on ad platforms. Having received a mobile number, the attackers installed data about the person who previously used it. To do this, they were authorized in various mobile applications, including postal services, government, utilities and medical institutions, using the password recovery function. After collecting the necessary information, the defendants gained access to online banking systems.
In addition, the cohabitants bought databases of citizens, in particular scanned copies of their documents, from collection and microfinance organizations, and issued online loans for them. Police officers check the involvement of these organizations in illegal activities.
The appropriated money was transferred by the defendants to controlled cards and cashed at the ATMs of the city. The total amount of losses reaches more than 600 thousand hryvnias.
In the homes of the intruders, law enforcement officers, together with the special purpose police regiment, conducted searches. According to the results, more than 300 SIM cards, 90 bank cards, passports of citizens of Ukraine, mobile phones, laptop and “rough” records were seized. Also, law enforcement officers seized weapons, ammunition and substance of plant origin, which were sent for expert research. After the conclusions of the examination, the issue of opening criminal proceedings will be decided.
Criminal proceedings are investigated under Part 3 of Art. 190 (Fraud) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for up to eight years in prison. The issue of declaring suspicion is currently being resolved. Investigative actions continue.
Procedural management is carried out by the Kryvyi Rih Central District Prosecutor's Office of the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
