Scammers attempted to steal over 1,500 land plots in various regions of Ukraine

Scammers attempted to steal over 1,500 land plots in various regions of Ukraine

A criminal group was exposed in Ukraine, attempting to seize an agricultural enterprise along with 1500 land plots across the country. The fraudsters, acting in a group of three, tried to execute the scheme using a forged power of attorney.

This was reported by the National Police. It is noted that the owner of the private enterprise has been abroad since 2021, which the criminals decided to take advantage of.

The schemers were detained at the moment they attempted to formalize the fictitious sale of the company. All three participants approached a notary to process the purchase-sale of an agricultural enterprise owning land plots throughout the country for 800 thousand UAH.

The scheme was organized by a 42-year-old Kyiv resident together with his two accomplices aged 48 and 56. One of the schemers, based on a forged power of attorney, was to pose as the business owner’s representative, while the other was to act as the buyer.

All three participants have already been notified of suspicion. They are accused under Part 2 of Article 15 and Part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – "completed attempt to acquire property rights by means of fraud, committed by prior conspiracy, on a large scale, during wartime".

The sanction of this criminal article provides for 5 to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. However, law enforcement officials note that the mentioned suspects face up to eight years in prison.