A major joint operation by Kazakh and Ukrainian authorities has dismantled an organized fraud call center in Odesa that scammed more than 120 Kazakhstanis out of tens of millions of tenge.

The operation involved Kazakhstan’s Interior Ministry, the National Police of Ukraine, and the prosecutor general’s offices of both countries. Investigators say the criminal network had been running sophisticated online fraud schemes targeting victims in Kazakhstan for an extended period, The Caspian Post reports via Orda.kz.

According to officials, the suspects relied on social engineering tactics to manipulate victims into installing malicious applications on their devices. Once access was gained, the fraudsters stole money and sensitive personal data.

“The perpetrators convinced citizens to install malicious software. After obtaining remote access to devices, they stole funds and personal information,” said Zhandos Suyunbay, head of Kazakhstan’s Cybercrime Prevention Department.

Law enforcement officers carried out eight searches during the operation, seizing two luxury vehicles, 26 computers, 49 mobile phones, as well as detailed scripts and instructions used to psychologically pressure victims.

Investigators also discovered Kazakh national symbols that the suspects reportedly used to gain trust and make their schemes appear legitimate.

Nine Ukrainian citizens were detained and placed in custody as authorities continue to investigate the full scope of the operation. Preliminary estimates put the total financial damage at more than 85 million tenge.