SBU cyber specialists exposed an organized group whose members unknowingly provide online credits to citizens.

The SBU jointly with the Cyber Police and the National Police found that the group included nine residents of Dnipropetrovsk region. The hired call center "staff" called citizens allegedly on behalf of mobile operators and "asked" for personal data for the unauthorized release of duplicate SIM cards. Having received the information, the attackers issued the so-called "quick" loans via the Internet for further misappropriation.

According to preliminary data, during the period of work they managed to take loans on behalf of several hundred citizens for UAH 2,000 (USD 75) to UAH 10,000 (USD 371).

Within the part of the criminal proceedings, law enforcement officers conducted 10 searches at the office of the clandestine call center in Kryvyi Rih and at the suspects’ places of residence. Computer equipment proving malpractice and illegally made duplicate SIM cards were seized during the investigation.

Two active group members were detained in accordance with Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.

Currently, the offenders are served suspicion notices of committing crimes stipulated by Part 2 Art. 361 and Part 3 Art. 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Investigative and operational actions are ongoing to identify all persons involved in the deal.

The operation to expose and document illicit activities was carried out under the legal supervision of the Prosecutor's Office of Kharkiv region.