As an analyst with extensive experience in cybercrime investigations and financial fraud cases, I find it deeply concerning to witness such elaborate scams perpetrated by impostors posing as law enforcement officers. The audacity of these criminals to exploit the fear and trust that people have for their local police force is a new low.
Scammers pretending to be law enforcement officials have swindled a businessman out of $250,000 in USDT by creating fictitious legal accusations as part of their scheme.
As a cryptocurrency investor, I was horrified to learn about the scam where fraudsters posing as law enforcement officials managed to swindle $250,000 worth of stablecoins from an individual in Ukraine by exploiting fake threats of fabricated criminal allegations. It’s a chilling reminder of the importance of staying vigilant and informed when dealing with digital assets.
Based on a press release from the Ukrainian National Police in September, it was reported that a 20-year-old entrepreneur who runs an online business claimed he was forced by individuals posing as police officers back in May. These fraudulent officials intimidated him with false allegations of working with Russia and threatened him with long jail terms for unfounded charges of high treason.
The blackmailers proposed to “settle” a fabricated issue for $250,000, causing the victim to send 250,000 Tether (USDT) to their cryptocurrency account. After the extortion, the offenders swiftly exchanged the stolen assets using an online exchange platform.
Special agents from our internal safety team and cybercrime specialists managed to uncover the individuals responsible for the extortion. Interestingly, these culprits were not linked to any official law enforcement bodies.
National Police of Ukraine
Coordinated raids in Kyiv uncover fraud ring
A coordinated investigation by the Kyiv National Police and the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office identified four suspects residing in Kyiv and the surrounding region. Law enforcement executed simultaneous raids across Kyiv and other regions, targeting the suspects’ homes, vehicles, and other assets.
During the searches, items such as bank cards, computers, cell phones, high-end vehicles, fake press identification, ammunition, and approximately $8,600 were taken. The individuals involved now face potential charges that might lead to imprisonment for up to 12 years and the forfeiture of their possessions.
The intensified action is a response to a case from mid-August, where the Ukrainian Economic Security Bureau accused a prominent blogger of tax evasion, having allegedly bypassed more than $5 million in taxes via a convoluted method involving digital currency transactions.
Known for his work in web traffic arbitrage and affiliate marketing, this blogger is rumored to have employed a complex scheme to hide significant earnings across multiple online industries such as gambling, dating platforms, sports betting, and health product sales.
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2024-09-02 17:54