A criminal group whose members appropriated drones that came in parcels and were intended for the needs of Ukraine's defenders was exposed in Ternopil Region.
According to the Cyberpolice and the Prosecutor General's Office, the suspects then repackaged the parcels, filling the empty containers with similar weight and size of the same kind of stuff.
They then sold the drones and quadcopters online at below-market prices. The goods were sent to customers from the branch at their place of work, and payment was received on controlled drop accounts and crypto wallets. One of the suspects even registered a sole proprietorship to receive payments for the goods. In this way, the suspects misappropriated the contents of 26 shipments worth almost UAH 6 million.
The National Police investigators and cyber police operatives conducted 14 searches at the suspects' residences, places of residence and vehicles in Lviv Region and Kyiv. The law enforcement seized 15 mobile phones, computer equipment, 25 bank cards, documents and draft records confirming the illegal activities of the criminals. The police also blocked digital assets on the ‘businessmen's’ crypto wallets.
The defendants were served a notice of suspicion under Part 5 of Art. 191 (Misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office in a particularly large scale) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. They face up to 12 years in prison with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years and confiscation of property.
The court has now imposed on the suspects a personal recognisance and nightly house arrest. Investigative actions are ongoing to establish the whereabouts of all persons involved in the scheme.