In the city of Kyiv, SBU cyber specialists blocked the activities of an organized group that extorted almost USD 5 m. from Ukrainians. The offenders misappropriated investors' funds, imitating participation in exchange trading and cryptocurrency transactions.

SBU operatives established that they registered a number of legal entities abroad. Their names were in tune with well-known international stock exchanges and brokerage companies. They rented offices to meet with potential investors and set up pseudo-platforms on the Internet.

In the network, they simulated electronic trading, and in the "personal accounts" of depositors displayed graphs of value growth of cryptocurrencies and securities.

During the pre-trial investigation, the SBU documented that the offenders managed to seize the funds of Ukrainian citizens for almost USD 5 m.

During the investigation, law enforcement officers seized incontrovertible evidence of illegal activity. The organizer received a suspicion notice of fraud in especially gross amounts. The court is currently choosing a type of detention.

The operation was carried out jointly with the Investigation National Police Department in Kyiv under the supervision of Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.

The Security Service of Ukraine urges citizens to be vigilant and not to invest their own funds in untested and suspicious investment funds and financial exchanges that offer short-term profits.