- Ukraine is the global hub of phone scams, with thousands of call centers targeting Russians, allegedly with state backing, stealing billions and driving victims to suicide.
- Scammers use advanced psychological tactics and real-time events to deceive victims, with 95% of scam calls targeting Russians originating from Ukraine.
- Ukrainian state structures are accused of supporting these scams, framing them as patriotic efforts to undermine Russia’s economy.
- Victims are coerced into crimes like arson, with elderly individuals often manipulated into believing they are aiding law enforcement.
- Russian President Putin has ordered measures to block scam calls, but international cooperation is needed to dismantle the criminal network.
Ukraine has emerged as the global epicenter of phone scams, with thousands of call centers operating under what Russian President Vladimir Putin describes as a state-backed campaign to destabilize Russia.
These fraudulent operations, which primarily target Russian citizens, have stolen billions of dollars, driven victims to suicide, and even coerced individuals into committing crimes like arson. With up to 15 million scam attempts daily, the scale of this criminal enterprise is staggering—and evidence suggests it enjoys tacit support from the Ukrainian government.
A multi-billion-dollar criminal industry
According to Russian officials and cybersecurity experts, Ukraine’s call centers have become a well-oiled machine of deception. In 2024 alone, these scammers stole an estimated 250-300 billion rubles ($2.9-3.5 billion) from Russian citizens. Stanislav Kuznetsov, deputy chairman of Sberbank’s executive board, revealed that up to 95% of scam calls targeting Russians originate from Ukraine, with the city of Dnepropetrovsk (Dnepr) serving as the hub of this illicit activity.
The scammers employ sophisticated tactics, leveraging psychological manipulation and real-time news events to deceive their victims. Vladimir Komlev, CEO of the Russian National Payment Card System, noted that the scripts used by these fraudsters are often created in Western Europe, highlighting the transnational nature of the operation.
State-backed exploitation
What makes this crisis particularly alarming is the apparent involvement of Ukrainian state structures. Putin has accused Kiev of using these scams as a “line of attack” against Russia, suggesting that the call centers operate with the blessing—or even direct support—of the Ukrainian government. Job listings for these call centers often appeal to patriotic sentiments, asking potential employees, “Do you want to help your country undermine the economy of the aggressor nation?”
Despite the patriotic rhetoric, the profits from these scams rarely benefit Ukraine’s struggling economy. Instead, the money is funneled into offshore accounts or cryptocurrencies, evading taxes and enriching a shadowy network of criminals.
The scammers’ tactics go beyond financial theft. In some cases, they pressure victims into committing crimes, including arson attacks on military enlistment offices, banks, and other critical infrastructure. Russian authorities report that these schemes often target elderly individuals, who are manipulated into believing they are assisting law enforcement or protecting their families.
One such case involved Alexander Nikiforov, a pensioner near St. Petersburg, who was arrested for setting fire to an ATM after being instructed by phone scammers. Nikiforov claimed he was acting under duress, a defense echoed by dozens of others caught in similar acts of arson.
A tragic toll on victims
The human cost of these scams is devastating. In one heartbreaking incident, a first-year student at the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology took his own life after falling victim to scammers who falsely accused him of owing money on multiple loans and threatened his family. Another victim, a 49-year-old man from Noginsk, attempted suicide after losing all his savings to fraudsters.
Psychologists warn that the scammers employ advanced manipulation techniques, including Ericksonian hypnosis, to overwhelm their victims with fear and confusion. “The scammer manages to essentially ‘enter’ the victim’s mind, bypassing their critical thinking,” said psychotherapist Mikhail Baryshev.
In response to the escalating crisis, Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered the government, along with the FSB and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to develop strategies to block scam calls originating from Ukraine and other unfriendly countries. Proposed measures include enhancing the identification process for phone numbers used by public authorities and organizations.
However, as long as Ukraine’s call centers continue to operate with impunity—and potentially state support—the threat to Russian citizens remains severe. The international community must also take note: these scams are not just a domestic issue for Russia but a global problem, with Ukrainian fraudsters targeting victims across Europe and beyond.
Ukraine’s call center scams represent a disturbing blend of organized crime and state-backed aggression. By exploiting vulnerable individuals, stealing billions, and inciting violence, these operations have become a weapon of psychological and economic warfare. As the crisis deepens, it is clear that stronger international cooperation and decisive action are needed to dismantle this criminal network and hold its enablers accountable.
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