According to Forbes, there are around 2,000 fraudulent call centres operating in Ukraine. This estimate was provided by MP Oleksandr Kunitsky, and a source at the National Police interviewed by the magazine described it as close to reality. Most of their victims are abroad, whilst the «offices» themselves are relocating from Dnipro to the western regions due to shelling and raids. Between 25,000 and 50,000 people may be employed in this sector.
Briefly about the main points
- It is estimated that there are around 2,000 fraudulent «offices» in Ukraine.
- The target countries include Russia, the EU, the US and Kazakhstan.
- Dnipro is losing its status as the centre of the industry due to shelling and raids.
- Job vacancies are advertised in almost all major cities.
- Fraudsters use fake payments, bank-related phone calls and the ‘relative’ scam.
Russia remains one of the main areas of focus for the «offices»
The geographical scope of these scam calls extends to Russia, the countries of the European Union, the USA and Kazakhstan. At the same time, calls originating from Russia are particularly prevalent: fraudsters are held liable once a victim has filed a complaint.
Pros. data According to Forbes, a significant proportion of these call centres target Russian citizens in particular. A source within the National Police, speaking to the publication, estimated that «Russian» «offices» accounted for 90% of the total number.
Call centres are relocating from Dnipro to the western regions
Until recently, Dnipro was regarded as the «capital» fraudulent call centres. Their organisers are now moving their «offices» to the western regions, where the situation is calmer.
The reasons cited for the change in geographical focus are the shelling and searches carried out by law enforcement agencies. At the same time, the recruitment of staff for such organisations is ongoing in almost all of the country’s major cities.
High wages are having an impact on the labour market in major cities
Employees at fraudulent call centres are offered a starting salary of $800. At the next career level, salaries range from $1000 to 2000.
One job search portal has stated that it blocks around 10,000 accounts linked to fraudsters every month. According to Forbes, the high remuneration in the illegal sector distorts the labour market: it is more difficult for legitimate companies to recruit staff – particularly sales managers – at a reasonable rate.
What scams are used to extract money?
For Ukrainians, one of the most common scams involves fake payments from international organisations.
Also. fraudsters They use scenarios involving the alleged blocking of a bank card and the need to «verify» it. Other common tactics include calls purporting to be from «relatives in distress».
