Cyber police blocked a botfarm from more than 20,000 accounts that were used to destabilize the situation in Ukraine
Botoferma “specialized” in justifying armed aggression, discrediting the Ukrainian authorities and promoting anti-vaccination sentiments. Fake accounts have also been used in fraudulent schemes to collect money for the treatment of sick children.
The activities of the botoprim were exposed by the employees of the department of combating cybercrime in the Chernivtsi region together with the investigators of the Chernivtsi district police department.
According to preliminary data, the group included about fifteen people aged 25 to 44 years. Those involved, using special programs, registered and “promoted” fake accounts in social networks. To connect paid advertising, offenders opened bank cards on fake persons and “tied” them to the created pages. In total, the botofram had more than 20 thousand accounts.
The created accounts were sold by the defendants and subsequently their administration was carried out through the server resources of the Russian Federation.
The botnet was used to discredit the actions of state authorities and the Armed Forces of Ukraine, justify the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, and promote anti-vaccination sentiments. In addition, the sold accounts appeared in fraudulent schemes to place online ads to raise money for children with cancer.
With the involvement of soldiers of the special police regiment of the Chernivtsi region in the office where the botfarm was located, law enforcement officers conducted a search. More than 6 thousand starter packages of Ukrainian and foreign mobile operators, more than 4 thousand bank cards, as well as computer equipment with special software were removed.
Criminal proceedings under Art. 361 (Unauthorized interference in the operation of computers, automated systems, computer networks or telecommunication networks) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Procedural management is carried out by the Chernivtsi District Prosecutor's Office. Investigative actions were carried out jointly with the regional department of the SBU.
Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
