Armenia Uncovers Suspected Cybertheft and Illegal Call Termination Scheme — Interior Ministry
14.05.2026,
10:11
Officers from the Cybercrime Department of the Main Criminal Police Department of Armenia have uncovered a suspected criminal group, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports.
YEREVAN, May 14. /ARKA/. Officers from the Cybercrime Department of the Main Criminal Police Department of Armenia have uncovered a suspected criminal group, the Ministry of Internal Affairs reports.
According to the department, a group of individuals equipped a private home in the village of Karbi in the Aragatsotn region with specialized computer equipment and, using specially developed software, committed large-scale computer thefts.
The materials collected during the investigative operations were sent to the Investigative Committee. On April 29, based on a court order, officers from the Criminal Police and the Investigative Committee conducted a search of the home. Computer equipment, mobile phones, and other equipment, which law enforcement officials believe could be used in illegal activities, were found and seized.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one of the group's activities was illegal call termination—a telecommunications scheme also known as GSM fraud or SIM boxing.
The ministry stated that VoIP platforms and other technological solutions were used to route international telephone traffic via internet channels to local telecommunications networks and register it as local calls. The ministry also reportedly mixed traffic of varying quality and generated artificial minutes to generate illicit income.
Furthermore, the ministry claims, the scheme included the use of malware in telecommunications systems. The ministry claims that, using artificial intelligence tools and special software instructions, the attackers gained access to individuals' personal accounts and stole funds.
The ministry also stated that special camouflage techniques were used to conceal digital traces, and the suspected illicit proceeds were converted into cryptocurrency.
Extensive forensic examinations are currently underway. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.
According to the department, a group of individuals equipped a private home in the village of Karbi in the Aragatsotn region with specialized computer equipment and, using specially developed software, committed large-scale computer thefts.
The materials collected during the investigative operations were sent to the Investigative Committee. On April 29, based on a court order, officers from the Criminal Police and the Investigative Committee conducted a search of the home. Computer equipment, mobile phones, and other equipment, which law enforcement officials believe could be used in illegal activities, were found and seized.
According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, one of the group's activities was illegal call termination—a telecommunications scheme also known as GSM fraud or SIM boxing.
The ministry stated that VoIP platforms and other technological solutions were used to route international telephone traffic via internet channels to local telecommunications networks and register it as local calls. The ministry also reportedly mixed traffic of varying quality and generated artificial minutes to generate illicit income.
Furthermore, the ministry claims, the scheme included the use of malware in telecommunications systems. The ministry claims that, using artificial intelligence tools and special software instructions, the attackers gained access to individuals' personal accounts and stole funds.
The ministry also stated that special camouflage techniques were used to conceal digital traces, and the suspected illicit proceeds were converted into cryptocurrency.
Extensive forensic examinations are currently underway. The preliminary investigation is ongoing.