Fake tours: a scheme involving travel abroad has been uncovered in Kyiv
This was reported by the National Police of Ukraine.
Operatives from the Strategic Investigations Department in Kyiv and investigators from the National Police’s Main Investigative Department have uncovered a scheme whereby men of conscription age were crossing the border under the guise of musicians allegedly travelling abroad for international charity performances.
According to the investigation, a woman from Kyiv organised this scheme. To this end, she set up a sole trader business and submitted lists of individuals to the Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine as members of music groups. The documents stated that these groups allegedly intended to support Ukraine through charity concerts abroad.
How much did the “tour” cost?
Law enforcement officials claim that the cost of participating in such a “band” ranged from $7,500 to $13,000. According to preliminary data, nearly 30 men took advantage of this scheme, with a further 16 planning to go on the “tour”.
The organiser has now been notified in absentia of her status as a suspect under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – the illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine. Law enforcement officials are also preparing materials to place her on an international wanted list.
Separately, the National Police stated that they are investigating the possible involvement of former employees of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine, including the former head of the department, in the operation of this scheme.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
As a reminder, operatives from the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine, together with investigators from the Kyiv Police, carried out a special operation during which they exposed and halted the activities of an organised group involved in the illegal issuance of deferrals from mobilisation and travel abroad.
