Online scams are becoming increasingly sophisticated and widespread, targeting unsuspecting users across the globe. However, the Cyber Police of Ukraine recently announced the successful bust of a phishing gang that had stolen more than $4.3 million from more than 1,000 victims across Europe.
The cyber gang created more than 100 phishing portals to target users in France, Spain, Poland, the Czech Republic, Portugal, and other countries in the region. The phishing sites offered heavily discounted products, luring unsuspecting users to place fake orders.
The criminals behind the scheme had created two call centers in Vinnytsia and Lviv, where operators played a significant role in convincing customers to make purchases. These call centers provided essential support to the fraudulent operation and helped the group to dupe victims.
The police arrested two of the alleged organizers in Ukraine, and another 10 members of the gang were detained in other European countries, where they are being questioned. The suspects are facing criminal charges which could incur a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison and confiscation of property.
As part of the investigation, the cyber police carried out more than 30 searches, seizing mobile phones, SIM cards, and computer equipment used to conduct the fraudulent activities. The police have not disclosed how the victims arrived at the phishing sites, but it could be through malvertizing, phishing emails, or direct messages on social media platforms.
The Cyber Police of Ukraine shared a video of the operation:
The success of this bust highlights the importance of international cooperation between law enforcement agencies in combating cybercrime. It also serves as a reminder for individuals to be cautious when making purchases online and to verify the authenticity of websites before sharing personal and financial information.
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