The National Police exposed fraudsters who embezzled 2.5 million hryvnias of donations intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The National Police exposed fraudsters who embezzled 2.5 million hryvnias of donations intended for the Armed Forces of Ukraine

Cyberpolice officers in Kyiv, in collaboration with investigators from the Main Investigation Department and the Office of the Prosecutor General, uncovered a group of fraudsters from the Cherkasy region who embezzled funds collected for the needs of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The investigation found that the perpetrators created dozens of fake accounts on social networks using photographs of military personnel’s documents from open sources. They posted announcements about fundraising and spent the received donations on personal needs. In total, the criminals misappropriated over 2.5 million UAH.

Cyberpolice and investigators traced the movement of funds and identified the individuals who created the fake accounts and posted the fundraising messages. Their locations were also determined.

During 11 searches in the Cherkasy and Kyiv regions, law enforcement officers seized mobile phones, bank cards, computer equipment, and other evidence.

Three participants have already been charged under Articles 190 (fraud) and 209 (legalization of proceeds obtained by criminal means) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. They face up to eight years in prison.

Currently, the investigation is ongoing to identify all individuals involved in the crime, the number of victims, and the amount of damages caused.