Facebook scammers: Ukrainians lose money through fake applications for assistance

On January 6, 2025, a Kremenchuk resident became a victim of fraudsters on the social network Facebook. An unknown person, under the pretext of applying for a one-time cash benefit from the state, swindled the woman out of 15,384 hryvnias 32 kopecks.

The victim said that she came across an ad on Facebook that promised financial assistance. After clicking on the link, the woman received a message with a confirmation code, which she entered. After that, money was debited from her bank account in three transactions: UAH 41.37, UAH 14,611.44, and UAH 730.51.

On November 24, 2024, an unknown person took possession of funds from a bank account in the amount of UAH 3,800 and from another bank account in the amount of UAH 800 belonging to a Kremenchug resident who, following a link on the social network «Facebook», applied for financial assistance and then confirmed the debiting of funds from the accounts.

At this point, law enforcement officers opened criminal proceedings under Part 4 of Art. 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud on an especially large scale) and are trying to establish where the victims' funds were transferred.

The police urge citizens to be vigilant and not to click on suspicious links, and never to disclose their bank details or transaction confirmation codes. In case of suspicion of fraud, you should immediately contact law enforcement.