A call centre in Kosovo has been raided under an international operation against a criminal network suspected of online investment fraud through which victims allegedly lost over fourm euros.
The operation was conducted by Eurojust and Europol, in co-operation with Kosovo authorities, Albania and Northern Macedonia.
Kosovo Special Prosecutor Arbnor Luta’s spokeswoman has confirmed the news about Insyder.
It has made it known that the action has been held in co-operation with international authorities.
We can confirm that action is under way, in co-operation with international authorities, Luta has declared.
According to the Eurojust and Europol announcement, 17 locations have been checked under operation, while more than 100 servers have been seized, as well as evidence and other assets.
Also, seven persons have been arrested on purpose for extradition to Germany.
Investigations have found that a centre of calls to Kosovo was allegedly used to convince victims to invest large sums of money on fake platforms online, claiming they offered investment opportunities in crypto notes, foreign currency and shares.
According to investigators, the scheme worked, initially luring victims with promises of big profits. They invested small sums, and false profits appeared in their accounts in order to create faith.
Later, those represented as financial mediators pressured victims to invest even larger sums. When they wanted to withdraw money, they were suspected of being unable to do so until organisers disappeared with invested money.
Investigations have also revealed a company based in Cyprus and Israel, which allegedly supplied criminal groups with fraudulent websites for the realisation of these schemes. Customers of this company in Kosovo, Albania and Northern Macedonia allegedly operated illegal call centres.
The investigation began in 2022, following a German couple’s complaint that had invested savings through an online platform, but had failed to attract the alleged profits.
Kosovo Special Prosecutor and Kosovo Police have also participated in the operation through the Directorate for Investigation of Economic Crimes and Corruption and Financial Investigation.
Europol has sent experts to Kosovo and Albania to support digital investigations and analysis of seized evidence.
Source Layer: Insander
