Law enforcement officers have uncovered a fraud scheme at Ukrgazvydobuvannya involving losses of over 295 million hryvnias
The Security Service of Ukraine, the Economic Security Bureau and the Office of the Prosecutor General have uncovered a criminal scheme at the joint-stock company ‘Ukrgazvydobuvannya’, which resulted in losses to the state amounting to over 295 million hryvnias.
According to the investigation, the scheme was organised by former officials of JSC ‘Ukrgazvydobuvannya’ and associated businessmen.
The investigation established that funds allocated for the state-owned company’s procurement were embezzled by inflating the cost of materials required for gas production.
Private companies controlled by the suspects purchased chemical additives and other products from manufacturers and official suppliers in Ukraine at market prices, after which they sold them to JSC “Ukrgazvydobuvannya” at prices inflated by two to three times. The profits obtained were distributed among the participants in the scheme.
The findings of the forensic economic analysis confirmed that these actions caused losses to the state-owned company amounting to over 295 million hryvnias.
Law enforcement officials have notified the head of a private company and a former official of JSC ‘Ukrgazvydobuvannya’, who organised the procurement tender, that they are under suspicion. They are charged with embezzlement, misappropriation of property, or taking possession of it through abuse of office.
The issue of imposing preventive measures is currently being decided. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement agencies are taking steps to bring all those involved to justice.
