Network of fraudulent call centers using Deepfake to scam foreigners exposed in Odesa -…

In May 2026, authorities in Odesa, Ukraine, dismantled a criminal network that used call centers and deepfake technology to defraud citizens of Kazakhstan. The organization, composed of individuals aged 17 to 30, allegedly impersonated bank employees and law enforcement officials to steal money from victims.

What happened

The suspects contacted victims, posing as representatives of banks or law enforcement. They convinced victims to update banking applications or to "protect" their accounts. Using deepfake technology, they impersonated representatives of law enforcement agencies and the National Bank of Kazakhstan. They gained remote access to smartphones and online banking, and then transferred funds to controlled accounts and cryptocurrency wallets. The group coordinated their activities through closed Telegram channels, where they assigned roles, shared victim data, and monitored the movement of funds. Law enforcement has documented at least six episodes of fraud.