Increase in fraudulent schemes
The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is recording an increase in the number of fraudulent schemes in which criminals impersonate law enforcement officers, including SBU. The primary aim of these scams is to deceive citizens and seize their funds. It is known that criminals intimidate people with fictitious criminal cases related to alleged state treason, financing the Russian Federation, or purchasing banned goods. To enhance pressure, the fraudsters often send fake summonses for questioning via messenger.
Fraudsters demand to transfer or hand over money 'for verification' or 'to avoid criminal liability'. The SBU states that 'this is how criminals contact a person and first intimidate them with fictitious criminal cases about alleged state treason, financing the Russian Federation, or purchasing banned goods. To increase pressure, the fraudsters often send a fake summons for questioning via messenger. Subsequently, the fraudsters offer to avoid punishment. In most cases, they demand to transfer or give them money 'for verification' or 'to avoid criminal liability'.'
Example of fraud
Recently, law enforcement uncovered a 41-year-old resident of Kyiv who deceived a soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine out of 700 thousand hryvnias. The soldier, who was defending the country on the Donetsk front, was severely wounded. The fraudster created a fake account under a fictitious name on a social network and impersonated a seriously ill woman who needed treatment in Germany.
The SBU urges citizens to be cautious and follow several recommendations to prevent fraud:
- Record the details of the individuals who make contact.
- Write down the phone number from which the call was received.
- Save screenshots of messages.
- Do not share confidential information about your bank cards.
- Avoid urgent money transfers.
- Verify all available information using only official sources.
In case of suspicion, citizens can contact the hotline at 1516 or via email at callcenter@ssu.gov.ua, sbu_cu@ssu.gov.ua. A chatbot 'Burn the FSB agent' is also available.
The rise in fraudulent schemes related to fake calls purportedly from the SBU indicates the need to increase public awareness of potential threats. It is important for citizens to be vigilant and cautious, especially in wartime conditions when people's emotional state may be vulnerable to manipulation. The Security Service of Ukraine continues to actively work on combating such crimes, urging everyone to cooperate and adhere to recommendations to prevent fraud.
In light of this increase in fraudulent schemes, it is also worth noting other methods that criminals use to deceive Ukrainians. For example, cybercriminals are stealing money from citizens abroad, using restored phone numbers. These new tactics require special caution from the population, as fraudsters constantly improve their approaches to deception.