Ukraine has toughened penalties for working at fraudulent call centers
New provisions of the Criminal Code regarding liability for the creation and activities of organized electronic communications fraud groups that use call centers have entered into force in Ukraine.
Law No. 4986-IX took effect on September 18, 2026.
From now on, participation in such an organized group or knowingly facilitating its activities may be punishable by five to ten years of imprisonment, with or without confiscation of property. This specifically refers to the provision of premises, resources, services, information, and other forms of assistance, provided that the person was aware of the unlawful nature of the group’s activities.
Separately, the law establishes stricter liability for those who create or lead an organized group engaged in electronic communications fraud.
Such actions are punishable by seven to twelve years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. If the offense is committed by a public official who abuses their official position, the punishment may range from eight to twelve years of imprisonment, along with disqualification from holding certain positions or engaging in certain activities, and confiscation of property.
Separate criminal liability has been established for the intentional recruitment of individuals to work in a fraudulent organized group. Specifically, this includes offering employment or compensation, providing services, other methods of recruitment, as well as disseminating information for such purposes.
Such actions are punishable by three to five years of imprisonment, with or without confiscation of property. In the case of a repeat offense, the penalty increases to five to ten years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.
At the same time, the law provides for the possibility of exemption from criminal liability for individual participants or persons who facilitated the activities of the fraudulent group.
To qualify, a person—other than the organizer or leader of the group—must, prior to being notified of suspicion, voluntarily contact a law enforcement agency, report the formation or activities of the group, and actively assist in exposing its members or halting its activities.
The law also defines such a group as an association of three or more persons, organized in advance for the systematic misappropriation of another’s property or the acquisition of rights to it through deception or abuse of trust using electronic communications. The activities of such groups may include, in particular, the collection and use of personal data, banking information, payment instrument details, and authentication codes.
The new provisions of the Criminal Code target not only the direct participants in fraudulent schemes but also the organizers, recruiters, and those who knowingly facilitate the operation of such groups.
This was reported by the Cyber Police.
The proliferation of fraudulent call centers in Ukraine appears to be a targeted Russian sabotage operation, stated NABU Director Semen Kryvonos.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on members of parliament to support the decision to dismiss Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko during a vote on Tuesday, September 15, as well as legislation against call centers.
