A joint investigation between Polish and Ukrainian authorities has led to the shutdown of three call centers linked to a large-scale forex fraud scheme that targeted thousands of investors.

According to the Central Office for Combating Cybercrime, the operation resulted in multiple arrests and the seizure of significant assets, as officials continue to investigate an organized group accused of running fake investment platforms.

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Cross-Border Investigation and Arrests

The case began after Polish authorities recorded a rise in complaints from individuals who claimed losses through online forex Forex Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Foreign exchange or forex is the act of converting one nation’s currency into another nation’s currency (that possesses a different currency); for example, the converting of British Pounds into US Dollars, and vice versa. The exchange of currencies can be done over a physical counter, such as at a Bureau de Change, or over the internet via broker platforms, where currency speculation takes place, known as forex trading.The foreign exchange market, by its very nature, is the world’s largest tradi Read this Term investments. The Krakow Regional Prosecutor’s Office identified an organized crime group that presented itself as legitimate brokers offering trading opportunities in the foreign exchange market.

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Investigators found that the platforms did not conduct real trades. Instead, operators simulated activity to convince victims that their investments were growing. Once funds were deposited, the group redirected the money.

Poland’s Central Cybercrime Bureau, working with prosecutors, requested assistance from Ukraine after tracing parts of the operation to multiple locations there. Authorities identified 28 sites suspected of hosting Hosting Hosting refers to the location of a broker’s technology stack. This is one of the most crucial elements of a brokerage that helps prevent the company from losing money due to being unable to mitigate latency risks.Brokers or exchanges are traditionally very vulnerable to latency arbitrage due to the speed with which financial markets move. The traditional datacenter locations for forex brokers are all centered at Equinix facilities around the globe. What Are the World’s Foremost Data Centers?Sin Hosting refers to the location of a broker’s technology stack. This is one of the most crucial elements of a brokerage that helps prevent the company from losing money due to being unable to mitigate latency risks.Brokers or exchanges are traditionally very vulnerable to latency arbitrage due to the speed with which financial markets move. The traditional datacenter locations for forex brokers are all centered at Equinix facilities around the globe. What Are the World’s Foremost Data Centers?Sin Read this Term the call centers.

Ukrainian law enforcement conducted searches at these locations and uncovered three active call centers. Officers detained 12 individuals during the raids, with nine placed in pretrial detention. Prosecutors have brought charges against 23 suspects in connection with the case.

Losses, Seizures, and Ongoing Probe

Authorities estimate that at least 2,000 victims were affected, with total losses reaching a minimum of 80 million Polish zlotys. The investigation also led to the seizure of assets valued at 18.2 million zlotys.

Recovered property includes cryptocurrency, cash, luxury cars, watches, and other high-value items. Courts have also imposed bail totaling 4.4 million zlotys as proceedings continue. Officials say the case reflects a broader pattern of cross-border investment fraud, where criminal groups use call centers and digital tools to target victims in different countries.

In a related case earlier this year, European authorities dismantled another network that caused losses exceeding €50 million. The current investigation remains active, with authorities working to identify additional participants and trace remaining funds.

Cases of forex fraud are on the rise. In April, for instance, Dubai Police, working with US and Chinese authorities disrupted a major “pig butchering” crypto scam network that targeted victims across several countries. Authorities said they have warned nearly 9,000 potential victims and prevented an estimated $562 million in losses, arresting 276 suspects and shutting down nine scam centers, most of them in the United Arab Emirates.

Prosecutors in the US have charged several people linked to the scheme with crimes including wire fraud and money laundering, calling the case part of a wider push against fast-growing cross-border financial crime. Investigators found that the network ran organized scam hubs where recruited staff followed scripts to build long-term trust with victims before steering them into fake cryptocurrency platforms.

Victims were helped to set up accounts and move funds, then pressured to keep increasing their deposits, sometimes by borrowing or cashing out savings, only to lose control of their money once it was transferred. Regulators and law enforcement agencies worldwide say such schemes are expanding rapidly, especially as criminals use AI tools to make their messages more convincing and to scale up these fraud campaigns.