In Yekaterinburg, the "operator" of the scammers who controlled the actions of the "couriers" has been convicted.
The Verkh-Isetsky District Court of Yekaterinburg on Thursday, May 21, 2026, sentenced a man who was part of an organized criminal group specializing in the theft of funds from elderly citizens. This was reported by the Prosecutor's Office of the Sverdlovsk Region.
It was established that the defendant Maxim Baliner was part of the fraudulent organized criminal group from April to May 2025.
"Members of the criminal group, whose materials have been separated into a separate proceeding, provided false information over the phone to elderly victims about attempts to steal money from their bank accounts, convincing them to transfer money for subsequent placement in a 'safe account.'
Baliner, acting as an 'operator,' controlled the withdrawal of money from uninformed couriers for transfer to curators," the regional prosecutor's office stated.
As a result, two pensioners suffered property damage amounting to about one million rubles.
The defendant was found guilty under Part 4 of Article 159 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation (fraud by an organized group). He did not admit his guilt.
Taking into account the position of the state prosecutor, the Verkh-Isetsky District Court of Yekaterinburg sentenced Maxim Baliner to 4 years of compulsory labor, with 20% of his salary withheld for the state.
Другие Новости Екатеринбурга (ЕКБ166)
In Yekaterinburg, the "operator" of the scammers who controlled the actions of the "couriers" has been convicted.
The Verkh-Isetsky District Court of Yekaterinburg on Thursday, May 21, 2026, sentenced a man who was part of an organized criminal group specializing in the theft of funds from elderly citizens.
