Developed a fake social assistance application website “eDopomoga”: resident of Alexandria suspected of fraud

Human rights activists have exposed a group of men suspected of defrauding people through a phishing website under the guise of receiving assistance from the state. Among the suspects is a resident of Alexandria.

This was reported by the Access Point with reference to the press service of the Prosecutor General's Office.

According to the investigation, in April 2024, a resident of Oleksandria, Kirovohrad region, created a fake social assistance application website “eDopomoga”. He involved his acquaintance – a previously convicted resident of Rivne region in the case.

The men distributed advertisements on Facebook and Google regarding “the possibility of applying for state assistance”. When users clicked on this ad, they were redirected to a fraudulent website.

Citizens entered personal registration data containing bank secrets, supposedly necessary to receive social cash assistance. This information was automatically displayed and made available to the participants in a previously prepared Telegram bot.

Furthermore, the “work” was carried out by a third participant – a 16-year-old resident of the Ternopil region. He played the role of “infidel” – using data from the bot, carried out unauthorized authorization to the victims' online banking and transferred money to accounts controlled by the group members.

During the searches, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones, bank cards and other material evidence. The investigation established that most of the victims were residents of the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions. 

Law enforcement officers are also identifying other members of the criminal group and victims who suffered from their actions. Three men were reported on suspicion of fraud (Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).