Bot farm supplying fake accounts to Russian intelligence uncovered in Zhytomyr

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) office in the Zhytomyr region said this in a post on Facebook, Ukrinform reports.

"The Security Service and the National Police have detained in Zhytomyr the organizer of an underground bot farm. […] According to the case materials, the suspect sold more than 3,000 fake accounts every month to the aggressor state for spreading Kremlin propaganda. To do this, the perpetrator created 'dummy' accounts registered to mobile numbers of Ukrainian operators and then sold them via specialized hostile online platforms," the statement reads.

Law enforcement officers established that his main clients were representatives of Russian intelligence services, who used the accounts to spread disinformation about Ukrainian forces and the internal situation in the country. The fake profiles were also used to disseminate anonymous messages, allegedly from Ukrainian citizens, about supposed bomb threats targeting various facilities.

SBU officers blocked nearly 20,000 fake online profiles that had been operating in the interests of Russian special services.

During searches at the suspect's residence, officers seized computer equipment, USB hubs with modems, mobile phones, and around 2,000 SIM cards from various mobile operators.

The suspect has been served notice of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (unauthorized interference with the operation of information, electronic communications and information-communications systems, committed by a group of persons).

The investigation is ongoing to establish all circumstances of the illegal activities and to determine any additional charges.

Photo credit: SBU