In Kyiv, law enforcement officers uncovered a large-scale fraudulent scheme that targeted a doctor of medical sciences. Under the pretext of “checking the SBU’s funds,” the fraudster convinced the pensioner to transfer all his savings — an amount equivalent to more than 11 million hryvniasThe police have already detained one of the members of the criminal group, while the organizers are still being sought. This was reported by the Main Directorate of the National Police in Kyiv.
The fraudster posed as an SBU employee
According to the investigation, an unknown person called the elderly man and said that he allegedly "financed the aggressor country" by purchasing goods of Russian origin on the Internet. In order to avoid criminal liability, the pseudo-SBU employee suggested that he urgently "declare" all his savings for verification.
Under psychological pressure and fear of possible consequences, the pensioner agreed to comply with the attackers' demands.
The courier took the money and converted it into cryptocurrency
The victim handed over cash in various currencies to the courier in the amount of over UAH 11 million. Law enforcement officers established that the intermediary was a 30-year-old resident of the Transcarpathian region, who had specially come to the capital to participate in the scheme.
For his role he received $500 reward.
The man transferred the funds received to a crypto wallet, after which the money effectively disappeared from the traditional financial system.
Why such schemes remain dangerous
Experts emphasize that such scams are based on psychological pressure and intimidation. Criminals use typical techniques:
- are represented by employees of state bodies
- accuse a person of a crime
- create a sense of urgency
- do not give time to check information
- demand immediate transfer of money or personal data
The police remind: no government agency conducts a “funds check” through the transfer of cash to couriers.
If you receive such a call, law enforcement officers advise you to immediately end the conversation and independently contact the relevant institution through official contacts.
