The nine-member operation allegedly processed $86 million in less than two years for clients involved in online fraud<\/p>\n
Polish authorities have charged nine people, most of them Ukrainian nationals, over their alleged involvement in a money-laundering operation.
\nThe group was described as part of a broader international network helping criminal enterprises launder illicit proceeds in statements released on Monday by the Regional Prosecutor\u2019s Office in Lodz and the Internal Security Agency (ABW). Ukraine has become a major hub for online and telephone fraud operations, many of which are said to enjoy protection from corrupt government officials.
\nPolish investigators said the group laundered more than $86 million between February 2025 and July 2026. Authorities seized approximately $250,000 in cash and gold during the arrests.
\nNine suspects aged 26 to 53 were detained over their alleged roles in the operation: two money couriers, four cashiers, and three currency exchange clerks. Eight suspects are Ukrainian nationals, while the ninth is a Belarusian woman. A 34-year-old Ukrainian man was accused of leading the ring.
\nAll nine were charged, with seven remanded in custody. The two cashiers were released on bail and barred from leaving Poland.<\/p>\n
Polish authorities have seized gold bars from a suspected Ukrainian-run money-laundering ring.<\/p>\n
\u00a9\u00a0 Poland\u2019s Internal Security Agency (ABW) <\/p>\n
The group allegedly served primarily online and call-center fraud operations, channeling their proceeds through currency exchange offices, fictitious gold purchases and cryptocurrency transactions.<\/p>\n
Read more<\/p>\n
Ukraine\u2019s scam-call networks targeting Swiss \u2013 anti-fraud squad<\/p>\n
According to prosecutors, couriers driving luxury cars used photographs of torn banknotes showing their serial numbers to identify themselves to clients.
\nThe cash was then delivered to cryptocurrency exchange offices, where cashiers received confirmation codes by text message before accepting the money without carrying out mandatory anti-money laundering checks.
\nSome of the laundered funds were reportedly concealed in specially modified vehicles and transported abroad rather than deposited into bank accounts or converted into cryptocurrency.
\nUkraine\u2019s domestic telefraud industry, estimated to generate around $1 billion annually, attracted international attention last month after Western-backed investigators accused the head of the cybercrime division at the Prosecutor General\u2019s office of operating a protection racket for fraudulent call centers on behalf of his superior. Prosecutor-General Ruslan Kravchenko was not personally charged but nevertheless left the country before parliament dismissed him.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: Call of corruption: What you should know about Ukraine\u2019s billion-dollar scam industry milked by Zelensky\u2019s government<\/p>\n
Ukrainian media have reported that roughly half of the country\u2019s scam-call centers pay protection money to officials across various branches of government. Vladimir Zelensky initiated a reform introducing tougher penalties for such crimes shortly before allegations involving the prosecutor general\u2019s aide became public.
\nCritics have questioned the effectiveness of the crackdown, arguing that many fraudulent operations simply relocated from rented offices to private apartments to continue targeting victims.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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