Amendments to the Criminal Code of Ukraine have come into force, introducing stricter liability for the creation, operation, and facilitation of fraud call centers. The new law, adopted by the Verkhovna Rada and signed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, is aimed at combating telephone fraud and the unlawful acquisition of citizens' personal data. The key innovation is a substantial increase in prison terms for both the direct operators of such "offices" and the individuals who build the infrastructure for them.
What changed in the Criminal Code
Deliberate participation in the operation of a fraud call center is punishable by up to 10 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. This is the maximum liability threshold established by the new legislation for the direct employees of such structures. The law also separately regulates liability for the unlawful acquisition of Ukrainians' personal data, which allows fraud schemes to be stopped at the stage of gathering information about victims.
Who else will face liability
Law enforcement officials emphasize that punishment extends not only to those who directly make the calls, but also to individuals who knowingly help organize the process. This category includes renting out premises, providing equipment, communications, and other necessary services. A separate penalty is established for the deliberate recruitment of people to work in fraud structures, in particular for searching for and hiring staff: such actions carry up to 5 years of imprisonment, and in case of a repeat offense the term increases to 10 years.
How can one avoid punishment
At the same time, the law provides a mechanism for exemption from criminal liability for certain participants or individuals who assisted the fraudsters. To qualify, one must voluntarily notify law enforcement authorities about the group's activities and actively assist in exposing it. The key condition is to do so before being served with a notice of suspicion. This approach, as intended by the legislators, is meant to encourage "whistleblowers" within such structures and help law enforcement uncover entire networks.
Context: why the law was long overdue
Fraud call centers, or so-called "offices," have long remained one of the most widespread forms of telephone fraud in Ukraine. According to industry publications, such structures are organized like a conveyor: from recruiting staff and preparing scripts to the systematic deception of citizens and the withdrawal of funds. That is precisely why the new law broadens the circle of liable persons — from callers to landlords and recruiters — in order to strike at the entire chain, not just the end operators.
The government's position
The initiative to tighten liability was previously championed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy himself, who called on the Verkhovna Rada to strengthen the punishment for the activities of illegal call centers. In his words, the penalty for operating such structures must be severe. Following its adoption by parliament and signature by the head of state, the law is now in practical effect, and law enforcement agencies have gained a broader toolkit for prosecuting all links in the fraud chains.
