Kyiv Fraud Case: Pensioners Targeted in Elaborate Scheme
In Kyiv, two retired women were defrauded by criminals who claimed to be conducting an audit for the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) and demanded their savings. The total damages amount to 3 million Ukrainian hryvnias. The alleged mastermind, a 53-year-old stateless man originally from Latvia, has been formally notified of suspicion under Article 190, Part 5 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code. This case highlights a growing trend of fraudsters exploiting public trust in state institutions.
How the Scam Operated
The scammers called elderly individuals who had previously purchased Russian-made dietary supplements, accusing them of financing an aggressor nation. They then instructed the victims to hand over their money for an “SBU verification.” The first victim, a 71-year-old woman, gave away $128,000 and later an additional 400,000 hryvnias. The second victim, aged 76, lost 160,000 hryvnias, over $10,000, and €11,000.
- First victim: a 71-year-old woman lost $128,000 and 400,000 hryvnias.
- Second victim: a 76-year-old woman lost 160,000 hryvnias, over $10,000, and €11,000.
A 75-year-old woman is also implicated in the case, serving as a courier. Initially targeted as a potential victim, she was recruited to transport money after it was discovered she had no savings. During a search of the organizer’s property, authorities seized over $40,000. In a separate but related incident, the same scammer allegedly stole funds designated by the state for an 83-year-old woman's home repairs.
Law enforcement has filed a motion to seize the organizer's cash and part of his house to prevent further fraudulent activity. The criminals used fake subpoenas and simulated home searches via video calls, making their operations particularly difficult to detect.
This case underscores the persistent threat of fraud targeting vulnerable populations, especially the elderly. Source: Glavcom, citing the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.
Authorities continue to work on preventing such crimes, but they urge the public to remain cautious and not fall for manipulative tactics used by scammers.
This incident is not isolated, as similar fraudulent schemes have been reported recently. For instance, a recent case involved a mastermind behind a fake chaplain scheme, where individuals were deceived into paying large sums to evade military service. To learn more about how these scams operate and the tactics used by criminals, read about the $25,000 fake chaplain scheme.