Ukrainian illegal call centers reportedly relocate operations to Cyprus and Bulgaria

As Ukrainian authorities intensify their crackdown on fraudulent phone-based investment schemes, investigative reports from the Ukrainian media outlet Glavkom suggest that these illegal call centers are relocating parts of their operations to Cyprus, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and Turkey. These networks are actively recruiting staff to target victims within the European Union, promising coverage of travel and relocation expenses for those willing to work abroad.

According to the investigation, the recruitment process involves sophisticated illegal methods. A representative from a call center allegedly offered a prospective employee a route to exit Ukraine illegally by crossing mountains with the assistance of a guide for a fee of $1,000. Once the border is crossed, the network coordinates the transportation of recruits to Bulgaria or Cyprus. The source claimed that several groups have already successfully utilized this illegal route. While these allegations regarding human trafficking and fraud are significant, SigmaLive notes that these reports have not been independently verified.

These developments highlight an ongoing struggle by Ukrainian authorities to dismantle sophisticated crime syndicates that have moved beyond national borders to avoid domestic law enforcement pressure. The situation remains fluid as authorities investigate these claims, though no specific court dates or immediate legal actions have been publicly announced by the involved countries yet.