The Lahav 433 cyber unit arrested suspects from Ashkelon on Wednesday on suspicion of posing as representatives of a money transfer company and police officers and defrauding many victims while charging them hundreds of thousands of shekels. In addition, a short time ago, the Ukrainian police, in cooperation with Israeli officials, arrested another suspect in Ukraine on suspicion of involvement in the acts.
The investigation revealed that suspects contacted the victims by phone, informed them that their money transfer account had been hacked, that their details had been transferred to criminal elements and that they had to transfer the money from their account in cash to couriers who would reach them.
Deceived the victims and stole hundreds of thousands of shekels (illustration), photo: GettyImages
The unit's investigation became public yesterday with the arrest of two suspects from Ashkelon (2) who were apprehended shortly after receiving tens of thousands of shekels in cash from one of the victims.
During a search of the suspects' car, tens of thousands of shekels in cash were found. In addition, a search of the home of one of the suspects revealed a pistol cult, handcuffs, card reader, soldering equipment, drone, phones and numerous documents.
Ukrainian Police
The suspects were interrogated on suspicion of aggravated fraudulent receipt, conspiracy to commit a crime and prohibition of operating in prohibited property. At the end of their interrogation, one suspect was released and the other was imprisoned, and today a hearing will be held to extend his detention at the Rishon LeZion Magistrate's Court.
Following developments in the investigation, Ukrainian police today arrested another person suspected of involvement in fraud. The arrest was carried out in cooperation with the Operational Coordination Department of the Intelligence Division of the Israel Police.
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