The Verkhovna Rada is discussing an initiative on possible punishment of up to 15 years in prison for organizing fraudulent call centers in Ukraine

The Temporary Investigative Commission (TIC) of the Verkhovna Rada, which is investigating the activities of fraudulent call centers, presented a report on the results of its work over the past six months.

The document appeared on the parliament website.

As the report states, there are now several formed organized criminal groups operating in Ukraine that use
electronic information networks for the purpose of fraud. As a rule, their structure is identical.

The first link is management. It coordinates undercover work on the part of law enforcement officers: the National Police, the Security Service of Ukraine, etc. The cover is organized by building corrupt connections with the heads of departments of these bodies.

The second link is the administration. Administrators are involved in personnel selection, renting premises, providing equipment, and ensuring the legalization of proceeds from crime. Also, this link, in the event of a threat to the activities of the call center, is engaged in the evacuation of call center operators and equipment.

The third link is the direct performers.

Based on the results of the work, VSK proposed amending the Criminal Code, supplementing it with articles providing for the establishment of liability for electronic communications fraud.

In particular, for the creation, management of an electronic communications fraudulent organization, as well as participation in it, it is proposed to be punished with a term of 7 to 12 years in prison, with confiscation of property.

Providing services, participating in an electronic communications fraudulent organization - imprisonment for a term of five to ten years, with confiscation of property. The same actions in conditions of martial law or a state of emergency or if they are committed by an organized group are punishable by imprisonment for a term of eight to thirteen years, with confiscation of property.

For the creation of a community of electronic communications fraudulent organizations, the management of such a community is proposed to be punished by imprisonment for a term of ten to fifteen years, with confiscation of property.

Legislators also propose to provide for liability for involvement in participation in an electronic communications fraudulent organization. Thus, for offering a job in a call center, the provision of such services is proposed to be punished for a period of three to five years with confiscation of property. For the same actions committed repeatedly or under conditions of martial law or a state of emergency, or if they were committed by an organized group, it is proposed to be punished with imprisonment for a term of five to ten years.