A scheme to import cars under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Ukrainian Armed Forces has been uncovered in Volyn
In the Volyn region, detectives from the Territorial Directorate of the Economic Security Bureau have uncovered a scheme involving the illegal import of passenger cars under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
According to the investigation, the scheme was organised by the director of a charitable foundation. He enlisted accomplices who transported the cars from European Union countries and arranged for their subsequent sale.
It has been established that between 2024 and 2026, over 100 passenger cars, declared as humanitarian aid, were imported to the charitable organisation’s address. Some of them were placed on temporary state registration, with registration certificates issued in the name of the charitable foundation, after which the vehicles were sold for cash.
Operatives from the Volyn Directorate of the National Police’s Department of Internal Security, in collaboration with detectives from the Security Service of Ukraine, documented the activities of the illegal ‘car market’. The organiser recruited five further individuals to carry out the scheme.
During authorised searches, law enforcement officers seized 14 vehicles, mobile phones, accounting documents, rough notes, cash and other material evidence. Computer equipment, documents and cash were seized from the residence of the charity fund’s director. The court has placed the seized vehicles under arrest.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing under Part 1 of Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and Part 4 of Article 358. Law enforcement officers are identifying all those involved in the unlawful activities.
Operational support is being provided by officers from the Volyn Directorate of the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine and the 6th Border Guard Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine. Procedural supervision is being provided by the Volyn Regional Prosecutor’s Office.
In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent until proven guilty in court.
