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Young Ukrainian women in big trouble: did they even call Slovenia?
Slovenia🏛️ PoliticsCenter8/14/2026

Young Ukrainian women in big trouble: did they even call Slovenia?

The article reports on a major operation by the Ukrainian police that dismantled a network of approximately 94 call centers across Ukraine involved in various investment scams. These scammers impersonated financial advisors, cryptocurrency exchange representatives, and law enforcement agencies to trick victims into revealing their banking information. The scammers used tactics such as claiming victims had forgotten cryptocurrency wallets, offering loans, or threatening to block their bank accounts if they did not comply. In Slovenia and other EU countries, similar scams are well-known. The Ukrainian police, working with national security services, prosecutors, and German police, identified 94 active scam centers, which have now ceased operations. They have arrested 26 individuals but expect the number to rise after forensic analysis of seized electronic devices. Over 411 home searches were conducted, resulting in the seizure of nearly 1,800 workstations, over 3,300 computer components, 1,346 smartphones, 5,200 SIM cards, 90 bank cards, access data to 20 cryptocurrency exchanges, $2 million USD, €64,000, and significant amounts of hryvnia cash, one kilogram of gold, and more than 22

A woman from the Celje police district has fallen victim to an online scam, losing more than 27,000 euros through a romantic deception. The incident occurred earlier this month when she connected with an unknown man via social media, who presented himself as an engineer aboard a Turkish ship. Over time, he gained her trust and convinced her to send multiple transfers totaling around 27,000 euros during the second half of July. After sending the money, the man abruptly cut off all communication. The woman later suspected fraud and reported the case to the police. According to reports from the Celje Police Station, the suspect used social media platforms to establish contact with the victim. Initially, the man was described as attentive, friendly, and emotionally expressive, which helped build a sense of intimacy. He gradually shifted the conversation toward financial requests, asking for money, gifts, or personal banking information. Once the woman began transferring funds, the man disappeared without further contact. She realized she had been scammed and promptly informed the authorities. The police have confirmed that such cases are common, often involving individuals who seek victims through online dating sites or social media. These scammers typically create a false image of sincerity and emotional depth, using their charm to gain the trust of potential targets. They may claim to be professionals working abroad, such as engineers, doctors, or military personnel, to enhance their credibility. Once they have established a connection, they begin requesting financial assistance under various pretenses. In many instances, the victims are women, though men are also not immune to these tactics. The Celje police emphasize that victims should not feel ashamed if they become aware of being targeted by scammers. Instead, they urge immediate action: disconnecting from the perpetrator, preserving all communications, and reporting the incident to law enforcement. The police also warn that these scammers often operate internationally, making it difficult to trace them. In some cases, they may even pose as humanitarian workers or peacekeepers to appear legitimate. This particular case is part of a broader trend of “romantic fraud,” one of the seven most common types of cybercrime. According to statistics, numerous similar incidents have been reported recently, including a case where a woman from Styria sent over 27,000 euros to someone posing as a surgeon in Asia. These scams rely heavily on psychological manipulation, exploiting the emotions of the victim to justify financial transactions. Scammers often avoid direct contact, claiming they are stationed far away or engaged in sensitive work, thus preventing face-to-face meetings. Law enforcement agencies stress that victims must remain vigilant and cautious when engaging with strangers online. They advise against sharing personal or financial information unless absolutely necessary and recommend verifying the authenticity of any request for money. Additionally, they encourage victims to document all interactions and preserve evidence in case legal action is required. The police also remind the public that there is no shame in reporting suspicious activity, as timely intervention can prevent further loss. The woman from Celje has already taken the recommended steps by contacting the police. While the investigation is ongoing, authorities continue to issue warnings about the increasing prevalence of such scams. They highlight that while the exact number of affected individuals is hard to determine, the frequency of these crimes suggests a growing threat. As digital communication continues to expand, so too does the risk of encountering fraudulent actors seeking to exploit vulnerable individuals through emotional manipulation and deceit.

How this report was made. Objective News wrote this report from 4 source articles, using AI-assisted synthesis under our methodology. It is our own text, not a copy of any single outlet. Read our methodology.

Responsible editor: Matej BašaSpotted an error? Report it

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4 reports

Siol.net logoSiol.netState / PublicCenterFactual 85Objective 758/14/2026
Young Ukrainian women in big trouble: did they even call Slovenia?

The article reports on a major operation by the Ukrainian police that dismantled a network of approximately 94 call centers across Ukraine involved in various investment scams. These scammers impersonated financial advisors, cryptocurrency exchange representatives, and law enforcement agencies to trick victims into revealing their banking information. The scammers used tactics such as claiming victims had forgotten cryptocurrency wallets, offering loans, or threatening to block their bank accounts if they did not comply. In Slovenia and other EU countries, similar scams are well-known. The Ukrainian police, working with national security services, prosecutors, and German police, identified 94 active scam centers, which have now ceased operations. They have arrested 26 individuals but expect the number to rise after forensic analysis of seized electronic devices. Over 411 home searches were conducted, resulting in the seizure of nearly 1,800 workstations, over 3,300 computer components, 1,346 smartphones, 5,200 SIM cards, 90 bank cards, access data to 20 cryptocurrency exchanges, $2 million USD, €64,000, and significant amounts of hryvnia cash, one kilogram of gold, and more than 22

Bias read (Center): The article presents a factual report on a criminal operation involving fraud, focusing on the actions of the Ukrainian police and their international collaboration. There is no overt ideological framing or emphasis on specific political groups. The tone remains objective, detailing the methods used

Why factuality (85): The article reports on an extensive police operation in Ukraine dismantling a network of 94 call centers involved in investment scams targeting EU citizens, including Slovenians. It cites collaboration with Ukrainian security services, prosecutors, and German police, and mentions 26 suspects with po

Why objectivity (75): The article presents the facts neutrally but uses emotionally charged terms like 'goljufi' (scammers) and 'prevara' (fraud), which can imply judgment. It also frames the issue as a common problem affecting EU citizens, which may subtly favor the perspective of law enforcement.

Delo logoDeloIndependent🔒CenterFactual 85Objective 658/12/2026
Falsely Helping Those Already Deceived

The article discusses investment and cryptocurrency scams that have defrauded people in Slovenia over the past year, resulting in losses of approximately 17 million euros. Victims are targeted by scammers who pose as experts in recovering lost funds but are actually involved in another form of fraud known as 'recovery scams.' These scammers lure victims with false claims about special connections or tools that can recover their money, despite such recovery being impossible. They build credibility using various sales tactics, including promises of free advice and success stories.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a general issue of financial fraud without taking a stance or showing clear bias toward any political side. It provides factual information about scams and does not frame the issue in a politically charged manner.

Why factuality (85): The article reports on a recovery scam targeting victims of investment and crypto fraud, citing a total loss of approximately 17 million euros. It describes the tactics used by scammers, including false promises of free consultations and success rates, which aligns with common patterns observed in s

Why objectivity (65): The article presents the scam as a clear deception but uses emotionally charged language such as 'prevaro s povračilom sredstev' and 'ogoljufane,' which may bias the reader toward viewing the victims as helpless and the scammers as malicious. While informative, the tone leans slightly towards condem

Slovenske novice logoSlovenske noviceIndependentCenterFactual 75Objective 808/11/2026
In Celje, damaged for 40,000 euros, she fell for the false promises of earning money with cryptocurrencies.

The police in Celje are warning citizens about increasingly sophisticated online scams involving cryptocurrency investments. In a recent case, a local resident was deceived into investing around €40,000 into fake cryptocurrency schemes, believing she could earn quick profits. The scammer convinced her to purchase prepaid value coupons for cryptocurrencies like BitIns and sent them codes, while also transferring money directly to foreign accounts. After realizing she had been scammed and would not recover her funds or promised profits, she reported the incident to the police. Authorities are still investigating the case and emphasize the need for caution when encountering offers promising high returns with low risk.

Bias read (Center): The article reports on a specific criminal case involving financial fraud and does not present any ideological or political bias. It focuses on informing the public about a scam and providing warnings rather than taking a stance on any political issue.

Why factuality (75): The article discusses a different type of scam involving cryptocurrency investments rather than romantic scams as described in the primary source. It provides specific details about a victim from Celje who lost €40,000, but does not reference the broader pattern of romantic scams outlined in the ori

Why objectivity (80): The article maintains a neutral tone overall, presenting the facts of the incident without overt bias or emotional language. However, it focuses exclusively on the cryptocurrency scam, which is a distinct category from the romantic scams discussed in the primary source. This narrow focus may limit i

Svet24 logoSvet24IndependentCenterFactual 65Objective 558/10/2026
The Celtics promised a quick payday, but by the time she realized the deception, it was too late.

The article discusses a case involving individuals who were promised quick profits but later discovered they had been deceived. It highlights the consequences of falling for fraudulent schemes and the difficulty of recognizing such scams until significant damage has been done. The narrative focuses on personal experience rather than broader systemic issues.

Bias read (Center): The article presents a personal account of financial deception without overtly endorsing or criticizing specific political entities, policies, or ideologies. While the issue of fraud could have political implications, the focus remains on individual experience rather than partisan framing.

Why factuality (65): The article reports on an incident involving 'Celjanki' who were promised quick earnings but later discovered fraud. While the general claim aligns with cross-source consensus that there was a fraudulent scheme, the specific details such as the timeline and exact nature of the fraud are not independ

Why objectivity (55): The tone of the article suggests a critical view of the individuals involved, implying they were deceived. The language used ('prevaro', 'prepozno') carries a judgmental tone, indicating a potential bias towards the victims rather than presenting a neutral account.

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