Фото: cbzc.policja.gov.pl
Poland’s Central Bureau for Combating Cybercrime has detained seven people suspected of internet fraud. One of those detained is a Belarusian citizen.
According to investigators, the suspects posed as bank employees and police officers in order to obtain money from victims. Total losses caused by their actions are estimated at more than 230,000 zlotys ($64,000). At least five victims have been identified so far.
Members of the group played different roles in the scheme. Some opened bank accounts, others withdrew cash from ATMs, while others managed banking applications on mobile phones. To convince victims to transfer money, the suspects used phone numbers registered in the names of straw persons, forged documents and fake police IDs, and also made video calls to gain the victims’ trust.
The suspects persuaded victims to transfer money to designated accounts supposedly to “protect their savings”. The funds were then immediately withdrawn from ATMs. The group recruited so-called drops through online advertisements. These people provided access to their bank accounts, often without understanding the consequences.
The suspects were detained in Katowice and Warsaw. Six of them are Ukrainian citizens and one is a Belarusian citizen. They were responsible for obtaining bank accounts, withdrawing money and providing technical support for the scheme.