[60868] Wave of scams in Ukraine: fraudsters impersonate SBU agents and threaten with treason cases

Security warning: Impersonating the SBU for the purpose of extorting money

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has issued an urgent warning to the public regarding a wave of scams being spread via text messages and social media. According to Україна Online, scammers contact citizens while impersonating security officers, intimidating them with false claims about involvement in "treason," financing Russia, or purchasing prohibited goods. Reports from the Оперативний ЗСУ channel noted that the criminals even send "fake summons for interrogation" to increase psychological pressure on the victims.

The ultimate goal of these networks is to extort money with the promise that the victim can "avoid punishment" in exchange for payment. As reported by Батальйон «Монако», the scammers' main strategy is to create a simulated emergency situation to lead citizens to make quick and unchecked bank transfers.

Other media organizations, including SPRAVDI, Новини.LIVE, and Новини Еспресо.TV, emphasized that this is a "classic method of fraud." The SBU clarifies unequivocally that the organization operates strictly within the framework of the law and does not request payments or resolve criminal issues through private money transfers.

Official guidelines for the public:

• Document all details of the callers, including phone numbers and screenshots of the messages.


• Do not share sensitive banking information or make urgent money transfers.


• Verify all information only through the official SBU channels.

In case of a suspicious contact, the public is urged to call the emergency hotline at 1516, email callcenter@ssu.gov.ua, or use the official Telegram bot "Спали ФСБшника".