Фото: Генпрокуратура
The Frunzensky District Court of Minsk sentenced five people to between 8.5 and 10 years in prison on charges of cyber fraud (Part 4 of Article 209 and Part 4 of Article 212 of the Criminal Code). The damage caused by the defendants is estimated at more than 2.5 million rubles.
More than 1,700 witnesses and victims were questioned during the trial. The court granted about 1,500 civil claims for compensation for material and moral damages, the court’s press service reports.
The defendants sought out “drops” who opened cards and accounts in their own names and, in exchange for payment, provided their details to members of the group. The details were sent to a “funder” abroad. He transferred money to the cards and accounts, while the defendants withdrew it through ATMs and converted it into cryptocurrency.
In addition, the defendants posted online advertisements for apartments for rent and, after receiving advance payments for bookings, stopped responding.
The group members also called victims, posing as bank employees, and persuaded them to provide access to their accounts.
The defendants were sentenced to between 8.5 and 10 years in prison and fined between 8,500 and 22,000 rubles. The sentence has not yet entered into force and may be appealed.