International vishing ring dismantled in Europe: police cooperation and key progress in the fight against digital fraud

On March 18, 2026, authorities reported the dismantling of an international network dedicated to telephone fraud, known as “vishing,” which operated primarily between 2023 and 2026 in several European Union countries. This type of scam relies on identity theft via telephone calls to manipulate victims and gain access to their bank accounts. The operation was carried out jointly by authorities in Latvia, Ukraine, and other European countries as part of a long-running investigation into a highly structured criminal organization. 
The network operated through call centers, where the criminals posed as police officers or bank employees. They used scare tactics to convince victims that their money was in danger. They then asked them to install legitimate remote access tools such as AnyDesk, which allowed the criminals to control the devices and access online bank accounts in real time. The victims were primarily European citizens, who were tricked into authorizing transfers or providing security codes. The organization also had a complex infrastructure that included more than 170 money mules to move the funds and convert them into cryptocurrency, making them difficult to trace. As a result of the operation, approximately 90 suspects were identified, several individuals involved were arrested, and assets worth over 800,000 euros were frozen. Additionally, several court convictions were handed down.
The case is currently at an advanced stage following the arrests and convictions that have already been carried out, although investigations are continuing to identify all those involved and recover the funds. European authorities have strengthened international cooperation and intensified awareness campaigns regarding this type of fraud, given its high success rate and difficulty in detection. This incident demonstrates that vishing will remain a significant threat, making prevention and international collaboration key to limiting its impact.