Illegal online exchangers found on Russian servers in Ukraine

Illegal online exchangers found on Russian servers in Ukraine

In Kyiv, a scheme for the illegal use of electronic money was discovered, servicing online exchangers associated with the aggressor country, and suspicions were brought against two individuals in this case.

It is important for citizens to be careful and use only trusted financial services to protect their funds from fraudulent schemes.

This was reported by the Bureau of Economic Security (BES). This case is one example of how criminals use modern financial instruments for illegal enrichment, bypassing legislative restrictions.

Since March 2024, a group of individuals has organized a scheme for conducting illegal financial transactions. Under the guise of direct transfers from person to person, clients actually exchanged hryvnias for cryptocurrency and electronic money of payment systems issued by foreign institutions. These institutions did not have accreditation with the National Bank of Ukraine and permits to operate in the country.

This illegal scheme was actively used to service online exchangers located on the servers of a company registered and operating on the territory of the aggressor. This approach made it possible to bypass Ukrainian legislation and ensure the shadow circulation of money through electronic payment systems.

Actions of law enforcement agencies

Detectives of the Bureau of Economic Security carried out a number of measures that allowed them to identify the organizers of this scheme and notify two individuals of suspicion of committing a crime. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing and law enforcement officers continue to work to identify the full circle of individuals involved in this illegal activity.

The investigation was initiated based on materials provided by the Department of Counterintelligence Protection of State Interests in the Sphere of Information Security of the Security Service of Ukraine. This indicates the existence of interdepartmental cooperation in combating financial crimes and protecting national interests.

How to protect your finances from illegal schemes

Criminals are increasingly using modern technology to organize illegal schemes, so it is important to be careful and responsible with your finances. Here are some tips on how to protect your money:

• check the legality of services: before using online exchangers or other financial services, make sure that they have the appropriate accreditation from the National Bank of Ukraine and operate legally;
• do not use the services of unfamiliar companies: if you are offered favorable exchange conditions or other financial transactions, but the company does not have a clear reputation or acts suspiciously, it is better to refrain from cooperation;
• Avoid offers with unreasonably high returns: If you are promised much higher returns than are usually available on the market, this may be a sign of fraud. High risks often hide the danger of losing your entire investment;
• Use reliable security methods: Always enable two-factor authentication on your financial accounts and create complex passwords. This will help reduce the risk of unauthorized access to your funds;
• Be alert to suspicious activity: If you notice unusual activity on your account or receive strange offers, immediately notify your bank or financial institution.