PARIS, September 21 - RAPSI. A trial against cybercriminals from Russia and Ukraine has commenced in Paris, AFP reported on Friday.

About 40 people accused of misappropriating 340,000 Euros have appeared in court.

According to investigators, their arrest helped prevent the embezzlement of another 250,000 Euros.

Hundreds of individuals have fallen victim to the cybercriminals.

To receive access to emails and bank accounts, the criminals used so-called "fishing" tactics, sending messages asking for login names and passwords, and setting up website clones and spy programs. The investigation established that the organizers created a fly-by-night trade firm to transfer money from the victims who disguised themselves as clients.

The funds were transferred via so-called "mules" - people who received letters in poor French offering work on beneficial terms. Their function was merely to transfer funds that arrived to their accounts, to 35 foreign recipients - 28 in Ukraine and seven in Russia.

A total of 84 mules were revealed. About 85,000 euro was transferred. The mules transferred sums varying from 500 to 3,000 euro, for which they received seven percent commission.

The decision in the fraud case will be passed on October 5.