Azerbaijani authorities have brought 11 people from Ukraine to Baku following a joint police operation targeting a network of illegal call centers accused of stealing money from Azerbaijani citizens.
Four of those detained - Nariman Iskandarov, Elsun Aliyev, Elshad Musayev and Elshan Shukurov - had been placed on an international wanted list as the alleged organizers of the network, Azerbaijan’s Interior Ministry said.
Call Centers Operated in Kyiv
Investigators said the call centers operated in Kyiv and recruited workers through Telegram advertisements promising high salaries in information technology and customer service.
Network members allegedly called Azerbaijani residents while posing as police officers, bank employees, mobile operators or representatives of investment companies. Victims were told that suspicious transactions had been detected, that their cards could be blocked or that they needed to transfer money to a supposedly secure account.
Other victims were approached with fraudulent investment offers promising high returns. Investigators said the callers sought bank card details, confirmation codes and passwords.
Stolen Funds Converted to Cryptocurrency
Authorities said the stolen money was collected in controlled bank accounts. After an agreed percentage was deducted, part of the proceeds was converted into cryptocurrency and transferred abroad.
A criminal case has been opened. A court ordered pretrial detention for the alleged ringleaders, while investigative measures involving the other suspects are continuing. Guilt must be determined by a court.
The Interior Ministry’s account was independently reported by APA and Report.
Source: Vesti Baku.