An Odessa call center with 60 workstations was implicated in the “Carthage” case

A call center with 60 workstations was uncovered in Odesa; according to investigators, it was part of a network of fraudulent offices run by a criminal organization. Its members may have paid law enforcement officials monthly for protection against searches and inspections.

The Center for Public Investigations examined the details of the case.

According to the investigation published by NABU and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), the criminal organization was involved in several areas of illegal business: fraudulent call centers, drug trafficking, the production of counterfeit euros, kidnapping, and extortion. Investigators believe that representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the National Police, and the Office of the Prosecutor General were involved in its activities.

In the fall of 2025, the organization controlled at least 52 fraudulent call centers, where approximately 2,700 people worked. According to the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU), each call center had to pay approximately 7,000 dollars per month for protection. The money was transferred in cryptocurrency.

Odessa was specifically mentioned in the investigation materials. A 375-square-meter call center operated there, equipped with 60 workstations for 50 employees. Members of the criminal organization discussed its address and staffing levels.

When searches and seizures of equipment began at one of the offices, the organizers turned to an intermediary nicknamed Price, who, according to the investigation, was responsible for liaising with law enforcement.

The members discussed the possibility of reaching an agreement with the police, the prosecutor’s office, and other law enforcement agencies in order to retain the equipment and continue their operations.

According to the case file, they planned to use legal channels to recover the seized equipment. Specifically, they discussed filing several identical complaints with the Pecherskyi District Court of Kyiv and paying for the desired ruling. Ultimately, the equipment was returned.

In late July 2026, members of the organization were warned about a crackdown on fraudulent call centers. They were advised to temporarily suspend operations, change their office addresses, and remove their property.

Investigators also established the members’ probable involvement in drug trafficking, the counterfeiting of euros, and violent crimes. The pretrial investigation is ongoing.

Анна Літман