A sweeping anti-corruption investigation, dubbed 'Operation Carthage,' has rocked Ukraine's security apparatus, leading to the dismissal of two high-ranking officials within the **Security Service of Ukraine (SBU)**. The probe has uncovered an alleged criminal organization that bribed law enforcement to protect illegal call centers and a host of other illicit activities. ### Leadership Changes at the SBU **Oleksandr Poklad**, chief of the SBU, announced the dismissals on Wednesday evening, coinciding with extensive searches of properties linked to several senior security officials. While the identities of the dismissed officials remain undisclosed, Poklad affirmed the SBU's full cooperation with investigators, emphasizing the expectation of a "transparent, objective, and impartial investigation." ### 'Operation Carthage' Unearths Extensive Criminality The **National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU)** and the **Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO)** revealed earlier on Wednesday that they had exposed a criminal organization paying bribes to senior officials. This illicit exchange allowed scam call centers to operate without interference, targeting victims both within Ukraine and abroad. The alleged network comprised at least 12 individuals, including senior officials from the **SBU**, the **Prosecutor General's Office**, and the **National Police**, alongside figures linked to organized crime. Investigators assert that the group's activities spanned online fraud, drug trafficking, counterfeit cigarette production, and currency forgery. Disturbingly, members are also accused of organizing kidnappings, assaults, and other violent acts. "The criminal organization used corrupt connections within law enforcement agencies to protect its illegal activities and generate illicit profits," **NABU** stated. ### Resistance and Prior Investigations **NABU** detectives reportedly faced resistance during one court-authorized search, where a senior SBU official allegedly threatened to use a firearm and obstructed investigators from entering the premises. This latest scandal follows an earlier investigation disclosed in September, which focused on a suspected bribery scheme involving officials in the office of then-Prosecutor General **Ruslan Kravchenko**. That probe alleged that officials had collected payments from fraudulent call centers since mid-2025 in exchange for police and prosecutor non-interference. Kravchenko denied involvement and subsequently resigned. ### Legislative Crackdown on Online Fraud The pervasive issue of fraudulent call centers has prompted legislative action. In mid-September, Ukraine's parliament approved new legislation introducing specific criminal penalties for establishing, operating, or working at fraudulent call centers, as well as recruiting individuals for such schemes. The legislation also targets fraud perpetrated through electronic communications, including the misuse of stolen personal and banking information. Those convicted under the new laws could face prison sentences ranging from seven to twelve years. ### The Persistent Threat of Scam Call Centers Fraudulent call centers have become a significant problem in Ukraine, with criminal groups employing sophisticated tactics to defraud victims. According to Ukraine's **National Police**, scammers frequently impersonate bank employees, law enforcement officers, or financial advisers. They often lure victims onto fraudulent investment platforms or spoof phone numbers to mimic legitimate institutions, highlighting the ongoing need for vigilance among the public and robust enforcement by authorities.