Fake SBU agents swindled nearly 7 million hryvnias from the former prime minister: how the scheme worked
18 May 22:53
In Kyiv, law enforcement officials have apprehended two fraudsters who, according to the investigation, swindled a 79-year-old former high-ranking official out of savings totaling 6.7 million hryvnias. The incident was reported by the Kyiv Police and the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office, according to "Komersant Ukrainian"
According to “Ukrainska Pravda, ” the victim is Ukraine’s sixth prime minister, Valeriy Pustovoytenko.
How the scam worked
According to the prosecutor’s office, the scammers contacted the 79-year-old pensioner and identified themselves as law enforcement officers.
They told the man that criminal proceedings had allegedly been opened against him for purchasing “suicide bombers” for the army of an aggressor country.
To increase the psychological pressure, the suspects sent forged summonses and convinced the victim that he could face serious legal trouble.
“Video-linked search” and transfer of money
Under pressure, the man agreed to a so-called “search via video link.” During the call, he showed the scammers his savings.
Afterward, following the instructions of the fake law enforcement officers, the pensioner put the money in a bag and handed it over to couriers near his home, supposedly “for verification.”
The amount in question is:
- $110,710;
- 10,200 euros;
- savings in Israeli shekels;
- British pounds;
- Czech korunas.
The total amount of losses is approximately 6.7 million UAH.
What the scammers did with the money
According to law enforcement, the suspects transferred their savings in dollars and euros to the scheme organizer’s crypto account.
They attempted to exchange the other currencies, but the exchange office refused to accept them. During a search of one of the detainees’ vehicles, law enforcement officers seized the money that could not be exchanged.
According to the investigation, the perpetrators themselves received $300 each.
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Who was detained and what are the charges against them
Operatives detained two suspects. Law enforcement is currently investigating their possible involvement in similar crimes.
The detainees were notified of their suspicion under Part 5 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine—fraud committed on an especially large scale or by an organized group.
The penalty under this article provides for up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The court imposed pretrial detention on the suspects with the possibility of bail set at 4.9 million UAH and 3.3 million UAH, respectively.
The SBU has already warned of a surge in such scams
Such scams are based on fear and psychological pressure. Fraudsters use themes of war, treason, funding Russia, or purchasing prohibited goods to force people to act quickly and not verify the information.
Elderly people are particularly often targeted, as they are easier to intimidate with fake documents, “summonses,” calls from pseudo-law enforcement officers, and threats of criminal prosecution.
Recently, the Security Service of Ukraine warned of a rise in fraudulent schemes in which criminals pose as SBU officers or other law enforcement officials.
Scammers may send fake “summonses for questioning,” accuse people of fabricated crimes, and demand money supposedly for “verification” or “resolving the issue.”
In similar cases in Kyiv, scammers have already swindled millions of hryvnias from pensioners “for verification,” posing as SBU employees.
How to avoid becoming a victim of fake SBU employees
Law enforcement officials urge Ukrainians not to transfer money or disclose bank details to people who call or message via instant messengers on behalf of law enforcement agencies.
Here are a few rules to remember:
- genuine law enforcement officers do not demand money “for verification”;
- legal proceedings are not conducted via messaging apps;
- suspicious documents should be verified through official channels;
- do not hand over cash to strangers;
- save phone numbers and screenshots of messages, and contact the police.
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