Ukraine Fraud Alert: The Case of Mamed Bagirov
An 83-year-old pulmonologist and surgeon in Kyiv, Mamed Bagirov, was defrauded of nearly 11 million Ukrainian hryvnias in a sophisticated scam. The perpetrators convinced the doctor to hand over his life savings under the pretense of verifying the legality of the funds. According to investigators, the scammers posed as colonels from the Security Service of Ukraine and the police, staging a video-call search to make their scheme appear authentic.
Reports indicate that Bagirov surrendered $180,000, €30,000, and 1.6 million hryvnias to the fraudsters. The courier who collected the money was a 30-year-old children's sports coach from Uzhhorod, who was promised a $500 reward for his role. The following day, the courier transferred the stolen funds into a cryptocurrency wallet.
Who Is Mamed Bagirov?
Mamed Bagirov is a Doctor of Medical Sciences, a professor, and a recipient of the State Prize of Ukraine. Born on November 3, 1942, in the village of Karamamedli, Gadabay District, Azerbaijan, he has lived and worked in Ukraine since 1968. He completed his candidate dissertation between 1968 and 1972 and earned his doctoral degree in 1988. Under his mentorship, the following dissertations were defended:
- 8 candidate dissertations
- 2 doctoral dissertations
Bagirov has authored over 300 scientific papers, published 6 monographs, and holds 24 copyright certificates and patents. In 1998–1999, he was named one of the 100 best doctors in the world, and in 2012, he received the Gold Medal from the American Biographical Institute.
The court has remanded the courier in custody with the option of bail set at 3.3 million hryvnias. Authorities are now investigating his possible involvement in at least five other similar incidents. Notably, scammers recently defrauded a 79-year-old former high-ranking official of 6.7 million hryvnias—identified as Valeriy Pustovoitenko, Ukraine's 6th Prime Minister, who served from 1997 to 1999.
This incident highlights the growing problem of fraud in Ukraine, particularly targeting the elderly, who may be more vulnerable to manipulation.
The use of fake searches and forged documents reveals an increasing sophistication in criminal schemes. It is crucial for law enforcement to raise public awareness about these threats and take steps to prevent similar crimes in the future.
This alarming incident is not isolated, as similar scams continue to target vulnerable individuals in Kyiv. Recently, a pensioner was deceived by fraudsters posing as SBU agents, losing a substantial amount of money. Such cases highlight the growing sophistication of scammers and the urgent need for increased awareness and preventive measures among the public.