Ukrainian Police Expose Crypto Platform Scammers Targeting EU Citizens

💰 The National Police of Ukraine has reported suspicions against members of an organized criminal group that created a series of pseudo-trading platforms aimed at misappropriating funds from European Union citizens. The scammers presented their services as investment platforms for trading in the stock market, cryptocurrencies, and “promising” company shares, promising high returns.

Losses and victims

According to the investigation, more than 30 foreign citizens were affected, with only five of them “investing” in cryptocurrencies for a total of around 8.2 million UAH. Victims were shown fake profits and successes, creating the illusion of stable earnings and safe investments.

Police note that the perpetrators used an aggressive client acquisition strategy, running “trading” on the stock market with promises of large profits for new participants.

Mechanics of the criminal group

A key role was played by a call center in Kyiv, staffed with 20 employees who called potential clients and persuaded them to transfer funds to the pseudo-platforms. The leader and two accomplices organized the operation so that call center employees directly interacted with potential investors, convincing them of the legality and prospects of the investments.

For VIP clients, additional measures were used: managers installed special software via remote access on victims’ computers. This software allowed the criminals to fully control the investors’ devices, showing them fake profits, while the real funds were transferred to the scammers’ crypto wallets and cashed out through exchange offices in Kyiv.

Scale of the operation

During the special operation, law enforcement conducted 21 searches, including the call center office, vehicles, and the suspects’ apartments. The operation resulted in the seizure of:

• more than $1.4 million in cash;

• 5.8 million UAH;

• 17,000 euros;

• equipment, storage devices, and records containing evidence of illegal activity.

Legal qualification and measures

The case is being investigated under Part 5, Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud committed by an organized group). Three participants have already been notified of suspicion, and the police have petitioned the court to take them into custody.
The suspects face up to 12 years in prison with possible confiscation of property.

Background and trends

This case is not isolated: in recent years, several similar crypto schemes have been uncovered in Ukraine and in cooperation with international authorities:

• May 2023 — National Police and the FBI shut down a network of nine unlicensed exchanges involved in laundering citizens’ funds;
• March 2024 — police detained a group illegally transferring men abroad, accepting payment exclusively in crypto assets;
• June 2024 — Kyiv Prosecutor’s Office exposed scammers posing as crypto developers, defrauding EU citizens of millions of UAH;
• October 2025 — Khmelnytskyi region, a fake cryptocurrency scheme advertised on Telegram, victims included investors from Europe and the Middle East;
• Later — a resident of Ternopil lost over $28,000 when an “analyst” from a fake platform blocked access to his account after receiving transfers.

Conclusion:

Conclusion

The case highlights the urgent problem of fraud in the cryptocurrency and online investment sector. Experts advise verifying platform licenses, reviews, and using trusted and regulated services before investing.

💻 The National Police of Ukraine reminds investors: be vigilant and cautious, especially when dealing with crypto assets and investment offers promising unusually high returns.

The article “How Not to Fall into a Crypto Scam Trap” can be read here.