European law enforcement authorities have dismantled a large-scale call center fraud operation based in Ukraine, following a coordinated international investigation. The operation targeted criminal groups that ran fraudulent call centers used to deceive victims across several European countries. Officials said the network was responsible for widespread financial losses and relied on organised structures that mirrored legitimate customer service operations.
According to investigators, the fraud operation was based in several Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Dnipro, and Ivano-Frankivsk. The call centers employed workers recruited from countries such as the Czech Republic, Latvia, and Lithuania. Callers were trained to impersonate bank staff, law enforcement officers, or other trusted officials. Victims were contacted by phone and pressured into transferring money after being told their accounts were at risk or involved in criminal activity.
Authorities said the fraud schemes relied heavily on social engineering. Callers followed prepared scripts and used spoofed phone numbers to appear credible. In some cases, victims were instructed to move funds to accounts controlled by the criminal group under the pretext of protecting their savings. Investigators reported that hundreds of victims were identified during the inquiry, with individual losses ranging from several thousand euros to much higher amounts in more severe cases.
The criminal organisation operated with a clear internal structure. Separate teams handled recruitment, training, call operations, and money movement. Some members were responsible for managing technical systems, while others focused on laundering proceeds through various financial channels. Law enforcement officials said staff were promised commissions of up to 7% of stolen funds, although payments were often withheld by organisers.
During the raids, police seized computers, mobile phones, storage devices, and documents linked to the fraud. Several suspects were detained for questioning, and further arrests are possible as investigators analyse seized data. Authorities said the takedown disrupted ongoing scam activity and prevented additional victims from being targeted.
European officials highlighted the cross-border nature of the operation and said international cooperation was essential to its success. The use of call centers based in one country to target victims in others allowed the group to exploit jurisdictional gaps. Europol and Eurojust coordinated intelligence sharing and legal assistance, enabling simultaneous action across multiple locations.
Law enforcement agencies warned that call center fraud remains a significant threat, particularly to older individuals and those unfamiliar with common scam tactics. Authorities urged the public to be cautious of unsolicited calls requesting urgent financial action and advised verifying claims through official channels. The investigation remains ongoing, and officials said further developments may follow as judicial proceedings continue.