Cyber police apprehend criminals who stole more than €1 million from EU citizens

This was reported by the press service of the National Police of Ukraine.

As it became known, the suspects created more than 100 phishing websites targeting European users.

The web resources offered various goods at below-market prices. The details of the bank cards that customers entered on phishing websites to pay for orders automatically became known to the perpetrators. Later they appropriated money from their accounts," the report says.

In addition, the fraudsters set up two call centres, in Vinnytsia and Lviv, and engaged operators in their work. Their role was to convince customers to make purchases.

The criminals managed to deceive more than 1000 people, including citizens of the Czech Republic, Poland, France, Spain, Portugal and other European countries.

Law enforcers carried out more than 30 searches in the homes of the perpetrators, in their cars and at call centres. As a result, mobile phones, SIM-cards and computer equipment, which were used in illegal activities, were seized," the National Police added.

Against the attackers criminal proceedings were initiated under Part 4 of Article 190 (Fraud), parts 1 and 2 of Article 255 (establishment, management of a criminal association or criminal organization, as well as participation in it) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. They face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.