In a major international crackdown targeting Dnipro call centers, Eurojust and police from Lithuania, Latvia, and Ukraine have dismantled a sophisticated criminal network that defrauded European citizens of over €100,000 every month. The operation targeted call centers specializing in cryptocurrency pyramids and cynical “recovery” scams designed to cheat victims a second time.
Eleven key figures have been arrested, and most are currently held in custody pending trial. They face up to 12 years in prison and the confiscation of their property. During 32 searches, investigators seized luxury cars, specialized equipment, and €400,000 in cash.
Dnipro Call Centers: The “Academy of Deception”
The criminal network in Dnipro operated like a well-oiled business with multiple branches. The organizers established actual training centers where employees were taught psychological manipulation and investment fraud techniques. The scammers used custom-built platforms that simulated real stock market trading. Victims were shown rapid “growth” in their crypto assets to encourage them to invest even larger sums. In reality, all profit charts and figures were fictitious, and the victims’ money was immediately funneled through a network of shell accounts.
The Double Blow: “Consultants” and “Rescuers”
A particularly cruel aspect of these call centers was their use of “secondary exploitation” schemes. While one group of employees convinced people to invest, another group contacted those who had already lost money. Posing as lawyers or recovery specialists, they offered “help” in retrieving the lost assets, demanding an upfront fee or commission. This method allowed them to drain the remaining savings of victims in Latvia and other EU countries. Total damages run into the millions. During searches of offices and residences, authorities discovered a massive amount of evidence, ranging from hundreds of SIM cards to detailed conversation scripts.
Cybersecurity: How to Avoid Phantom Brokers
Following the liquidation of the Dnipro-based network, the Latvian State Police issued an urgent warning to the public. Investment fraud has become the most widespread type of cybercrime in 2025–2026. The police provide the following reminders:
- Never transfer money to brokers without verifying their legal status in official registries.
- Do not install software (such as AnyDesk or similar programs) at the request of “specialists” over the phone.
- Never disclose passwords or Smart-ID codes.
- If you receive a call offering to “recover money stolen by scammers,” this is the second phase of the fraud.
