Fraudulent SIM Card Scheme Uncovered in Dnipropetrovsk Region

In the Dnipropetrovsk region, employees of the National Police of Ukraine have uncovered a fraudulent scheme related to the re-issuance of SIM cards, which has impacted residents from various regions, including Kyiv, Poltava, Cherkasy, Chernihiv, and Volyn. This information was reported by Ukrinform, citing data from law enforcement officials.

The perpetrators employed a method known as 'SIM-swap' fraud. They posed as employees of a mobile operator and, under the guise of conducting technical procedures, initiated the re-issuance of SIM cards linked to the victims' bank accounts. By doing so, the fraudsters gained control over the financial numbers of their victims.

Once they accessed mobile banking, the suspects altered account details and transferred funds to accounts that they controlled. According to reports, the total amount of losses incurred is approximately 1 million hryvnias. In some instances, the criminals not only seized the money but also attempted to carry out additional illegal transactions with the victims' accounts.

Law enforcement officials established that the organized group operated according to a pre-developed plan and had a clear hierarchical structure. The organizer coordinated the actions of the participants, defined their roles, provided the necessary material and technical resources, and distributed the proceeds obtained through criminal means. Other members of the group were responsible for searching for phone numbers of potential victims, re-issuing SIM cards, communicating with the victims, and subsequently withdrawing and converting the funds into cash.

As part of the investigation, police conducted a series of searches at the residences of the suspects in the Dnipropetrovsk region, as well as in their vehicles. During these investigative actions, mobile phones, SIM cards, bank cards, data storage devices, packaging from SIM cards, and other physical evidence confirming the illegal activities were seized.

Three members of the organized criminal group have already been notified of their suspicion of committing fraud on a particularly large scale as part of an organized group. They face up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property for this criminal activity. Currently, the issue of selecting preventive measures in the form of detention for the suspects is being resolved.

As previously reported by Ukrinform, a court had earlier chosen preventive measures for eight participants of a network of fraudulent call centers in Dnipro, which operated under two schemes. This situation underscores the importance of caution and vigilance when communicating with representatives of mobile operators and conducting financial transactions.

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