Fake disability claims worth US$17,000; scheme to smuggle conscripts abroad exposed
In the Ternopil region, law enforcement officers have uncovered a group of individuals suspected of organising the illegal smuggling of men liable for military service across Ukraine’s state border during martial law.
The scheme was documented by operatives from the Strategic Investigations Department in the Ternopil region, in collaboration with investigators from the Ternopil District Police Department, officers from the military counter-intelligence unit of the Security Service of Ukraine, and under the procedural supervision of the Ternopil District Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the investigation, the group consisted of three individuals. The organiser was responsible for finding clients, receiving payments from them and distributing the money among his accomplices. One of the participants was responsible for finding people willing to leave Ukraine illegally, organising their transport and subsequently crossing the border outside of official crossing points. Another participant in the scheme, according to the investigation, was a postgraduate medical student who provided medical support, coordinated treatment, prepared the necessary documentation and facilitated the subsequent registration of disability status.
Law enforcement officers established that the suspects demanded US$17,000 from one of the clients for their services. In return for this sum, they promised to arrange for disability status to be granted by exerting influence on officials.
As part of the investigation, law enforcement officers documented the handover of the first instalment of US$5,000. During the handover of the remaining sum, operatives, police investigators and SBU officers detained the suspects in accordance with the procedure set out in the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine.
During the pre-trial investigation, with the participation of KORD special forces, seven authorised searches were carried out at the suspects’ places of residence, in their vehicles and at their places of work.
Three members of the group were served with notices of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding the illegal smuggling of persons across the state border of Ukraine, as well as under Part 2 of Article 28 and Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine regarding abuse of influence committed by a group of persons acting in concert.
The court imposed a preventive measure on the organiser and his two accomplices in the form of detention, with the right to post bail in the amount of 665,600 hryvnias.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are identifying other individuals who may be involved in the unlawful activities.
In accordance with the law, a person is presumed innocent until their guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by law and confirmed by a court conviction.
