NABU uncovers scheme of "protection" for illegal call centres by security service representatives

High-profile operation and government reaction

Two months ago, NABU's activities within the framework of Operation "Carthage" sparked widespread public resonance. During the investigation, it was revealed that fraudulent call centres received protection from the Prosecutor General's Office, as well as other security structures subordinate to President Volodymyr Zelensky, specifically the SBU, the National Police and the SBI. These events led to the disappearance of the Prosecutor General, after which the president made a statement to the public.

«Направив до Верховної Ради два законопроєкти про посилення відповідальності за організацію шахрайських кол-центрів, участь у них, а також про додатковий суттєвий захист людей від незаконних дій з платіжними інструментами та банківськими рахунками» (I have sent two bills to the Verkhovna Rada on strengthening liability for organising fraudulent call centres, participating in them, as well as on providing additional substantial protection for people from illegal actions involving payment instruments and bank accounts), stated Volodymyr Zelensky.

The president emphasised the need for strict punishment: «Відповідальність за шахрайські кол-центри має бути чіткою і жорсткою, і не лише для тих, хто є виконавцями в роботі кол-центрів, але й для тих, хто все це організовує, збагачується за рахунок кол-центрів, володіє ними» (Liability for fraudulent call centres must be clear and strict, and not only for those who are executors in the operation of call centres, but also for those who organise all of this, get rich at the expense of call centres, and own them).

New details of the investigation

Recently, it became known about the continuation of Operation "Carthage". NABU detectives not only uncovered a criminal group in which criminal elements closely collaborated with security officers under the president's control, but also demonstrated that the prospects for thousands of call centre workers who deceive citizens of Ukraine, Europe and the USA are extremely bleak.

Statements from participants in the criminal scheme

Yehor Levchenko (Burkin), a Russian citizen known by the nickname "Mexican", who, through the intermediation of Andriy Osypov ("Kryminal"), kept the "Khimprom" drug cartel, a counterfeit money workshop and a network of call centres (including the involvement of journalists and activists) under the protection of the SBU and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, made a prediction.

In his words, call centres may cease to exist within the next two to three years. Inna Vedernikova commented on this situation as follows: «До чого я це? До того, що в будь-якому разі тема 2–3 роки, вона сама собою помре. Через конкуренцію, через трафік і тому подібне. А до чого це я «клоню»? І або якщо швидко влада зміниться, я думаю, нова влада зміте цю тему нах***. До чого я клоню? До того, що, братуха, не провтиньте момент» (What am I getting at? I'm getting at the fact that in any case, this is a two-to-three-year topic, it will die on its own. Due to competition, due to traffic, and so on. And what am I "hinting" at? And either if the power changes quickly, I think the new power will sweep this topic away, f***. What am I hinting at? I'm hinting that, brother, don't miss the moment).

She also added: «А до того, панове, що ми можемо протикати країну» (And the point, gentlemen, is that we can pierce the country).

Systemic problems in security structures

During the tenure of the current authorities, headed by Volodymyr Zelensky and Poklad, personnel rotation is taking place. Police officers, whom SBU generals, specifically Serhiy Duka ("Akim", detained by NABU), transfer to other positions, smoothly move into the National Security and Defence Council. Police chiefs, in whose strategic departments representatives of the criminal group "Kryminal" work, hold ministerial positions. Ministers of Health and judges of the Pechersk District Court are also in a winning position, having connections with criminal circles.

In the country, it is claimed, a second front in favour of the aggressor has long been opened, which remains unnoticed. Society is focused on external threats, while internal problems, such as the impunity of criminals, continue to cause harm to the state, as was shown in NABU videos featuring individuals known as "Boxer" and "Pasha".