The National Police exposed a criminal group in extortion of money for not disseminating provocative information
The attackers published false news on the Internet that damaged the business reputation of politicians and officials, and demanded money for their removal. The homes of the defendants are currently being searched.
The illegal activities of the criminal group were exposed by cyber police officers together with the Main Investigation Department of the National Police.
Five people on 13 controlled websites posted provocative and inaccurate information about officials, politicians, businessmen and their relatives. At the same time, the news was mainly about the corrupt activities of the “heroes”.
Law enforcement officers received several appeals from victims.
It was also found that offenders illegally collected, stored and published confidential information about persons in the media without their consent.
The distribution of such information was carried out until the person made a request to remove the news from the site. For feedback, the attackers left an email. In response, the defendants demanded money in cryptocurrency and provided instructions for their conversion to e-wallets. At this time, four victims have been identified, who transferred from 150 to 200 thousand hryvnias to the attackers.
Currently, law enforcement officers are conducting 7 searches in the offices and residences of the defendants in Chernihiv, Kiev regions and in the capital.
According to this fact, criminal proceedings were opened under Part 4 of Art. 189 (Requisition) and Part 2 of Art. 182 (Violation of privacy) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Members of the group may face up to twelve years in prison with confiscation of property. Investigative actions are ongoing.
Procedural guidance is carried out by the Office of the Prosecutor General of Ukraine.
Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
