Mykolaiv region: SSU detains fake Internet detective who deceived over 500 families of Ukrainian soldiers on prisoner exchange
The SSU has shut down another scheme of extorting money from relatives of missing or captured Ukrainian servicemen.
As a result of the operation, a fraudster was apprehended in Mykolaiv oblast, who pretended to be an expert in search of missing Ukrainian defenders and stole money from families which approached her.
For up to UAH 7,000 per a soldier, the ‘detective’ promised families to find the serviceman and provide information on their location and physical condition.
However, immediately after receiving the money, the offender would cut off communication, giving no information on the missing person.
In this way, the criminal defrauded over 500 families of almost UAH 2 mln (USD 52,000).
To deceive victims, the woman created fake online groups, Search for Missing Persons and Come Back Alive, on popular social media.
There, the fraudster offered her ‘detective services’ and indicated her bank card number for transferring funds supposedly to solve ‘routine’ issues related to searching activities.
The SSU has documented over 50 facts of the perpetrator receiving money from deceived families.
During the searches at the suspect’s home, the SSU found 20 mobile phones, a tablet and 64 SIM-cards, which she constantly changed to conceal the scheme.
The detainee has been notified of suspicion under Article 190 of the CCU (fraud) and taken into custody.
The investigation is underway.
The SSU warns: do not provide information on prisoners of war, persons unlawfully deprived of their liberty or your personal data to unauthorised organisations and individuals or anonymous sources.
If you encounter any cases of fraud related to PoWs, please contact the Joint Centre for Coordination of Search and Liberation of Persons Unlawfully Deprived of Liberty as a Result of Aggression against Ukraine, which operates under the SSU.
The Centre’s accounts in popular messengers are:
- Viber +38(067)650-83-32
- WhatsApp +38(067)650-83-32
- Telegram +38(067)650-83-32
The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Mykolaiv region jointly with the National Police under the procedural supervision of Mykolaiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.
