Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Monday (Dec 9) said it had carried out raids at a call centre and detained people accused of defrauding over 100,000 people across 50 nations, including Indians. A video shared by the intelligence agency shows the masked agents storming a business centre and rounding up people. The FSB said the crime ring also targeted people from India under the guise of investment deals.

<h2>FSB statement</h2>

“The call centres were part of an international organised crime ring engaged in massive fraud against citizens of the EU, U.K., Canada, Brazil, India, Japan and others under the guise of investment deals,” the FSB said. “Revenues from its illegal activities reached $1 million a day.”

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JUST IN: 🇷🇺 Russian FSB raids offices of international call centers involved in investment scams. <a href="https://t.co/fkAGgJHfgj">pic.twitter.com/fkAGgJHfgj</a>
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The call centres were allegedly operated by former Georgian Defence Minister D Kazerashvili, who now lives in London.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiByKWn3pyKAxWTha8BHQOrDh8QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-kills-own-soldier-over-alleged-terrorism-ties-to-isis-722818" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-kills-own-soldier-over-alleged-terrorism-ties-to-isis-722818&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiByKWn3pyKAxWTha8BHQOrDh8QxfQBKAB6BAgHEAE">Russia kills own soldier over alleged terrorism ties to ISIS</a>

The FSB detained several operatives, including Israeli-Ukrainian citizen Keselman Ya D, during the operation. Meanwhile, another operative named Todva D, an Israeli-Georgian citizen, is believed to be at large. The duo allegedly oversaw operations at the call centre and had a hand in spreading fake terror threats inside Russia.

Also read:&nbsp;<a data-ved="2ahUKEwiByKWn3pyKAxWTha8BHQOrDh8QxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE" href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-british-diplomat-over-alleged-espionage-779471" jsname="YKoRaf" ping="/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-expels-british-diplomat-over-alleged-espionage-779471&amp;ved=2ahUKEwiByKWn3pyKAxWTha8BHQOrDh8QxfQBKAB6BAgOEAE">Russia expels British diplomat over alleged espionage</a>

According to the FSB, the call centre received instruction from Ukraine’s SBU security service in 2022 to disseminate a fake terror threat in Moscow, Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod at the height of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

<h2>India angle</h2>

The call centre employees would often target people in India, a country that has the world’s largest market for digital transactions. They would lure people into making fake ‘investments’ in return for lucrative profits, eventually scamming them of their hard-earned money.

(With inputs from agencies)

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Monday (Dec 9) said it had carried out raids at a call centre and detained people accused of defrauding over 100,000 people across 50 nations, including Indians.

Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) Monday (Dec 9) said it had carried out raids at a call centre and detained people accused of defrauding over 100,000 people across 50 nations, including Indians. A video shared by the intelligence agency shows the masked agents storming a business centre and rounding up people. The FSB said the crime ring also targeted people from India under the guise of investment deals. FSB statement “The call centres were part of an international organised crime ring engaged in massive fraud against citizens of the EU, U.K., Canada, Brazil, India, Japan and others under the guise of investment deals,” the FSB said. “Revenues from its illegal activities reached $1 million a day.” JUST IN: 🇷🇺 Russian FSB raids offices of international call centers involved in investment scams. pic.twitter.com/fkAGgJHfgj — BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) December 9, 2024 × The call centres were allegedly operated by former Georgian Defence Minister D Kazerashvili, who now lives in London. Also read: Russia kills own soldier over alleged terrorism ties to ISIS The FSB detained several operatives, including Israeli-Ukrainian citizen Keselman Ya D, during the operation. Meanwhile, another operative named Todva D, an Israeli-Georgian citizen, is believed to be at large. The duo allegedly oversaw operations at the call centre and had a hand in spreading fake terror threats inside Russia. Also read: Russia expels British diplomat over alleged espionage According to the FSB, the call centre received instruction from Ukraine’s SBU security service in 2022 to disseminate a fake terror threat in Moscow, Kursk, Bryansk and Belgorod at the height of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. India angle The call centre employees would often target people in India, a country that has the world’s largest market for digital transactions. They would lure people into making fake ‘investments’ in return for lucrative profits, eventually scamming them of their hard-earned money. (With inputs from agencies)

100k victims; 50 nations, $1mn daily revenue: Russia raids massive scam centre, watch video

The director of Russia’s top security agency, on Tuesday (Mar 26) said that he believed that Ukraine, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, were involved in the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow on Friday (Mar 22).&nbsp;

Meanwhile, a Russian court remanded an eighth suspect in custody over his alleged involvement in the mass shooting which claimed the lives of at least 139 people and left 182 others wounded.&nbsp;

<h2>Allegations by Russia’s FSB chief</h2>

Alexander Bortnikov, director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), said they believe that the terrorist attack was “prepared by both the Islamist radicals themselves and was facilitated by Western special services.”&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Moscow Terror Attack: Russia's Putin says 'radical Islamists' behind attack

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This comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin, for the first time since the attack, acknowledged the involvement of “radical Islamists,” while reasserting his claims that Ukraine likely played a role in the shootout.&nbsp;

The Russian president continues to blame Ukraine despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the attack. Similarly, Bortnikov said “special services” of Ukraine&nbsp;are “directly related to this” claiming that Kyiv helped prepare Islamist radicals at an undisclosed location in the Middle East.

Russian reporters also asked the FSB chief if he thought Ukraine’s allies in the West, the US and the UK, were involved in the attack. “We think that’s the case. In any case, we are now talking about the texture that we have. This is general information,” said Bortnikov.&nbsp;

Ukrainian officials, including the president, have repeatedly denied any link to Friday’s attack and dismissed Russian accusations as lies.&nbsp;

The US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson&nbsp;previously said that Washington had shared intelligence with Russia about a planned attack in Moscow.&nbsp;

The FSB chief, when asked about the information supplied by the US, said it was not always very concrete, reported Reuters.

The United States and France say intelligence suggests the group was indeed behind the attack.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-claims-radical-islamists-orchestrated-moscow-concert-attack-reasserts-ukraines-link-704241">Putin repeats Islamist, Ukraine link with Moscow concert attack</a>

French President Emmanuel Macron, on Monday (Mar 25), said the current information available “indicates indeed that it was an entity of the Islamic State that instigated this attack.”&nbsp;

He also said that it would be “counterproductive” for Russia “to use this context to try and turn it against Ukraine.”

<h2>Eighth suspect remanded in custody</h2>

On Tuesday, a Russian court remanded in custody Kyrgyzstan-born Alisher Kasimov for his suspected involvement in Friday’s mass shooting and sent investigators to Tajikistan to question the families of four men charged for allegedly carrying out the attack.&nbsp;

Moscow has previously said that four suspected gunmen have confessed. However, the suspects showed signs of injuries when they appeared in court raising concerns that they had been tortured.&nbsp;

Russia’s commissioner for human rights Tatyana Moskalkova said that the detention of suspects should be carried out in accordance with the law, reported news agency TASS, and called it “absolutely unacceptable to use torture on detainees and defendants.”

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/turkey-detains-nearly-150-over-alleged-isis-links-after-moscow-terror-attack-704489">Turkey detains nearly 150 over alleged ISIS links after Moscow terror attack</a>

In court, Kasimov, who has been accused of providing accommodation to the four Tajik men who allegedly carried out the attack, showed no visible signs of injury.&nbsp;

So far, Russian authorities have detained 11 people, including four suspected gunmen.

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

The director of Russia’s top security agency, on Tuesday (Mar 26) said that he believed that Ukraine, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, were involved in the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow on Friday (Mar 22).

The director of Russia’s top security agency, on Tuesday (Mar 26) said that he believed that Ukraine, along with the United States and the United Kingdom, were involved in the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall near the Russian capital city of Moscow on Friday (Mar 22). Meanwhile, a Russian court remanded an eighth suspect in custody over his alleged involvement in the mass shooting which claimed the lives of at least 139 people and left 182 others wounded. Allegations by Russia’s FSB chief Alexander Bortnikov, director of the Federal Security Service (FSB), said they believe that the terrorist attack was “prepared by both the Islamist radicals themselves and was facilitated by Western special services.” WATCH | Moscow Terror Attack: Russia's Putin says 'radical Islamists' behind attack This comes a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin, for the first time since the attack, acknowledged the involvement of “radical Islamists,” while reasserting his claims that Ukraine likely played a role in the shootout. The Russian president continues to blame Ukraine despite the Islamic State claiming responsibility for the attack. Similarly, Bortnikov said “special services” of Ukraine are “directly related to this” claiming that Kyiv helped prepare Islamist radicals at an undisclosed location in the Middle East. Russian reporters also asked the FSB chief if he thought Ukraine’s allies in the West, the US and the UK, were involved in the attack. “We think that’s the case. In any case, we are now talking about the texture that we have. This is general information,” said Bortnikov. Ukrainian officials, including the president, have repeatedly denied any link to Friday’s attack and dismissed Russian accusations as lies. The US National Security Council spokesperson Adrienne Watson previously said that Washington had shared intelligence with Russia about a planned attack in Moscow. The FSB chief, when asked about the information supplied by the US, said it was not always very concrete, reported Reuters. The United States and France say intelligence suggests the group was indeed behind the attack. Also Read | Putin repeats Islamist, Ukraine link with Moscow concert attack French President Emmanuel Macron, on Monday (Mar 25), said the current information available “indicates indeed that it was an entity of the Islamic State that instigated this attack.” He also said that it would be “counterproductive” for Russia “to use this context to try and turn it against Ukraine.” Eighth suspect remanded in custody On Tuesday, a Russian court remanded in custody Kyrgyzstan-born Alisher Kasimov for his suspected involvement in Friday’s mass shooting and sent investigators to Tajikistan to question the families of four men charged for allegedly carrying out the attack. Moscow has previously said that four suspected gunmen have confessed. However, the suspects showed signs of injuries when they appeared in court raising concerns that they had been tortured. Russia’s commissioner for human rights Tatyana Moskalkova said that the detention of suspects should be carried out in accordance with the law, reported news agency TASS, and called it “absolutely unacceptable to use torture on detainees and defendants.” Also Read | Turkey detains nearly 150 over alleged ISIS links after Moscow terror attack In court, Kasimov, who has been accused of providing accommodation to the four Tajik men who allegedly carried out the attack, showed no visible signs of injury. So far, Russian authorities have detained 11 people, including four suspected gunmen. (With inputs from agencies)

Moscow terror attack: Russia now claims US, UK also involved in the mass shooting

The US Treasury tweaked its sweeping sanctions on Russia&#39;s FSB intelligence agency Thursday to make sure US traders in Russia can obtain FSB-required import permits for certain US technology goods.

The White House quickly denied reports that the move constituted an &quot;easing&quot; of pressure on Russia by the new administration of President Donald Trump.

&quot;I haven&#39;t eased anything,&quot; Trump said during a meeting with executives of motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson.

The previous Barack Obama administration slapped a total ban on Americans&#39; transactions with the FSB on December 29 in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the US elections.

The Treasury ruled Thursday, however, that US importers in Russia who are required to obtain FSB permissions for certain imports for sale to Russian entities -- not to the FSB -- would be able to do so.&nbsp;

Specifically they are allowed to pay the FSB up to $5,000 a year in fees for the permissions.

The ruling does not in itself permit any specific sales of US goods to Russia; certain technology goods are already tightly restricted under US rules.

Doug Jacobson of Washington trade law office Jacobson Burton Kelly PLLC called the move &quot;a very minor issue&quot;.

It &quot;allows US companies to obtain licenses and approvals from FSB to import certain software and IT equipment containing encryption into Russia,&quot; he said on Twitter.

&quot;This does not permit sales to FSB. Only allows US persons to deal with FSB to obtain permits to import such items into Russia.&quot;

The Trump administration has been expected to attempt to reset relations with Russia after they sank to the lowest level in decades under Obama, in part due to Moscow&#39;s support for embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia&#39;s 2014 invasion and annexation of Ukraine&#39;s Crimea region.

In December, Obama expelled what the White House called 35 Russian &quot;intelligence operatives&quot; and placed the FSB and other Russian agencies and individuals on its sanctions blacklist after US intelligence agencies said that President Vladimir Putin personally directed an effort to interfere with the US presidential election via computer hacking and disinformation campaigns.

(AFP)

The White House quickly denied reports that the move constituted an 'easing' of pressure on Russia

The US Treasury tweaked its sweeping sanctions on Russia's FSB intelligence agency Thursday to make sure US traders in Russia can obtain FSB-required import permits for certain US technology goods. The White House quickly denied reports that the move constituted an "easing" of pressure on Russia by the new administration of President Donald Trump. "I haven't eased anything," Trump said during a meeting with executives of motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson. The previous Barack Obama administration slapped a total ban on Americans' transactions with the FSB on December 29 in retaliation for alleged Russian interference in the US elections. The Treasury ruled Thursday, however, that US importers in Russia who are required to obtain FSB permissions for certain imports for sale to Russian entities -- not to the FSB -- would be able to do so. Specifically they are allowed to pay the FSB up to $5,000 a year in fees for the permissions. The ruling does not in itself permit any specific sales of US goods to Russia; certain technology goods are already tightly restricted under US rules. Doug Jacobson of Washington trade law office Jacobson Burton Kelly PLLC called the move "a very minor issue". It "allows US companies to obtain licenses and approvals from FSB to import certain software and IT equipment containing encryption into Russia," he said on Twitter. "This does not permit sales to FSB. Only allows US persons to deal with FSB to obtain permits to import such items into Russia." The Trump administration has been expected to attempt to reset relations with Russia after they sank to the lowest level in decades under Obama, in part due to Moscow's support for embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Russia's 2014 invasion and annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. In December, Obama expelled what the White House called 35 Russian "intelligence operatives" and placed the FSB and other Russian agencies and individuals on its sanctions blacklist after US intelligence agencies said that President Vladimir Putin personally directed an effort to interfere with the US presidential election via computer hacking and disinformation campaigns. (AFP)

US eases sanctions on Russian spy agency FSB

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100k victims; 50 nations, $1mn daily revenue: Russia raids massive scam centre, watch video

Moscow terror attack: Russia now claims US, UK also involved in the mass shooting

US eases sanctions on Russian spy agency FSB