He sold non-existent cars to the Ukrainian Armed Forces on behalf of Serhiy Prytula’s charitable foundation
According to the National Police of Ukraine, since the start of the full-scale invasion, members of a criminal organisation have been posting online advertisements offering to sell and deliver cars from Europe at below-market prices.
They operated on various online platforms, used fictitious personal details and presented themselves as customs brokers, car transporter drivers, volunteers or employees of charitable foundations, in particular claiming to be representatives of Serhiy Prytula’s foundation.
The fraudsters asked military personnel to transfer funds ostensibly for the purchase, delivery, customs clearance or insurance of the vehicles. In reality, the cars were neither purchased nor delivered, and the funds received were embezzled.
To build trust, they set up a network of fake accounts, posted staged videos and used the personal data of military personnel.
Investigators from the Main Investigation Directorate, together with operatives from the Criminal Investigation Department, uncovered this scheme.
In one instance, a soldier found an advertisement for the sale of equipment at a reduced price, transferred a deposit and provided documents, as well as recording a video of thanks. He did not receive the vehicle, and the video was used to deceive others.
The group members laundered the proceeds by purchasing property abroad, luxury cars, jewellery and other assets.
The organiser of the scheme is a Ukrainian citizen who had previously been prosecuted abroad and had been notified of suspicion of fraud in Ukraine. He was placed on an international wanted list.
Whilst abroad, he continued to coordinate the group’s activities and discussed the possibility of having the international arrest warrant temporarily lifted. Law enforcement officers documented these actions.
After the suspect’s whereabouts in Estonia were established, he was detained and handed over to Ukraine as part of the extradition procedure.
He faces charges relating to over 50 counts of criminal activity, including the creation and leadership of a criminal organisation, fraud on a particularly large scale, and other offences. The penalties carry a maximum sentence of 12 years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
The court has ordered his detention without bail.
Efforts are ongoing to identify other members of the group who are currently abroad.
The police are urging members of the public who may have been affected by this scheme or who have information to contact the hotline.
If you or your acquaintances have fallen victim to this fraudulent scheme or have information relevant to the investigation, please contact the police.
Hotline: +380 95 681 17 13
