Former police officers who swindled around $2.2 million from crypto entrepreneurs are to stand trial in the Kyiv region
Prosecutors from the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor’s Office have concluded a pre-trial investigation into a group of individuals comprising four former police officers and a civilian with a previous conviction.
Those involved included officers from the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, as well as from the capital’s police force. They were on duty at the time the offences were committed. The suspects include police colonels.
According to the investigation, two colonels organised a permanent armed group and recruited other law enforcement officers and a civilian accomplice to it. The group’s members, according to the investigation, used their professional skills, connections and resources, acted in concert and had a clear division of roles.
The suspects are charged with forming and participating in an armed gang, kidnapping and unlawful deprivation of liberty, robbery, extortion and illegal possession of drugs.
The investigation has identified at least four victims. According to law enforcement, the gang members tracked down entrepreneurs linked to the cryptocurrency business, abducted them, held them illegally and, at gunpoint, forced them to hand over money and sign receipts for non-existent debts.
One of the victims in Kyiv, according to the investigation, was abducted at gunpoint. He was forced to hand over funds and sign a ‘debt’ for 5 million US dollars. After this, the man was unlawfully detained and moved between various locations.
To maintain secrecy, the suspects used messaging apps and official transport, and posed as law enforcement officers whilst committing the crimes.
According to the investigation, the group’s members stole a total of approximately US$2.2 million.
The group’s illegal activities were halted in November 2025. All members were dismissed from the police force and had preventive measures imposed on them.
The case files have been forwarded to the court.
The prosecutor’s office reiterated that, in accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
