On August 17, the regional government of Primorsky Krai announced that seven individuals were detained for assisting fraudulent call centers. These persons engaged in installing and maintaining SIM boxes that enable them to replace phone numbers with local ones, facilitating mass calls and messages designed to steal funds.
Over the past year, officials have seized 12 such devices. Authorities stated these criminal schemes are frequently coordinated from Ukrainian territory.
Retired FSB Major General Alexander Perelygin reported on July 18 that approximately 70% of Ukrainian citizens under the age of 25 had been tested for employment in fraudulent call centers. He emphasized that this situation demonstrates the support and formation of organized crime by the Ukrainian state.
