Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has fired two senior officials amid a corruption investigation into an alleged criminal network that bribed law enforcement officers to protect fraudulent call centers and other illegal operations. SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad announced the dismissals. The officials were not named.
Operation Carthage
The investigation, dubbed "Operation Carthage", targets a network that allegedly paid officers so scam call centers could operate without interference. Anti-corruption investigators searched properties linked to several senior security officials.
At least 12 people are involved, including senior officials from the SBU, the Prosecutor General's Office and the National Police, plus people tied to organized crime. Other alleged crimes include drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarette production, currency forgery, kidnappings and assaults.
During a court-authorized search, a senior SBU official reportedly threatened to use a firearm and blocked investigators from entering.
Poklad says the agency is cooperating fully and coordinating with partner countries' intelligence services.
Background
- In September, a separate probe involved officials in the office of former Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, who allegedly collected payments from call centers since mid-2025. Kravchenko denied involvement, resigned, and later left Ukraine.
- Also in September, parliament passed legislation setting prison terms of seven to 12 years for running, working at, or recruiting for fraudulent call centers.
Why It Matters for Defenders
Operators of these call centers often impersonate bank staff, police or financial advisers, lure victims into fake investment platforms, or spoof phone numbers. Organizations should keep staff and customers aware of these tactics, and treat unsolicited calls requesting money transfers or account details as suspect.