Fraudsters' communication hub found in Murino and Novoye Devyatkino
Cyber police have detained two suspects in organizing telephone fraud in Leningrad Oblast. They are accused of involvement in 50 criminal cases.
Apr 18, 2026 0
Cyber police officers detained two alleged accomplices of telephone fraudsters in Leningrad Oblast. According to the investigation, they participated in organizing a communication hub through which fraudulent calls were made.
Police seized 3,500 SIM cards and other devices during searches in connection with the fraud case.
The detention took place in rented apartments in Murino and Novoye Devyatkino. The suspects are a 28-year-old native of Kalmykia and his 20-year-old acquaintance from Pskov Oblast.
As investigators established, since last August, the duo worked for call centers based in Ukraine. Their duties included servicing SIM boxes—devices that mask the real location during international calls.
«For these purposes, the detainees received equipment and SIM cards from their supervisors through various courier services,» the department clarified. «Daily, at least 5,000 fraudulent calls passed through the communication hub they created.»
The suspects constantly changed their places of residence, moving to new rented apartments every three to four days. For their work, each of them received 12,000 rubles (approximately $120 at current rates) daily in cryptocurrency.
They are considered involved in 50 criminal cases initiated in St. Petersburg, Leningrad Oblast, and other regions of Russia.
During searches, police seized material evidence: 3,500 SIM cards, routers, laptops, bank cards, and about twenty phones with correspondence and instructions from supervisors.
The court decided to remand both suspects in custody under articles on fraud and illegal use of communication means. Law enforcement continues to determine what other crimes the detainees may be involved in.
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