A man has been detained in Odessa for orchestrating a large-scale fraudulent scheme, embezzling money from citizens seeking assistance from the government.
According to the press service of the Odessa regional prosecutor's office, the fraudster created a fake website that closely mimicked the design of the "є Підтримка" platform, luring individuals in an attempt to obtain their banking information.
The offender posted phishing links on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Users, hoping for financial support, clicked on these links and entered their payment details – card numbers, CVV codes, and other confidential information. The perpetrator acquired this data and used it to log into online banking applications, transferring money to his accounts.
Preliminary reports indicate that around 100 individuals fell victim to these fraudulent actions. Currently, four victims have been identified, suffering losses amounting to nearly 16 thousand hryvnias. During searches, law enforcement officials seized mobile phones, computer equipment, and other evidence of the fraudulent activity.
The suspect has been charged under part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud using electronic means). He faces up to 8 years in prison. During the court hearing, he was ordered to be held in custody with the possibility of posting bail set at 211 thousand hryvnias.