The gang of the "overseer" from Kropyvnytskyi has been exposed

In Kirovohrad region, an organized group led by a criminal authority was uncovered, which poisoned victims with medications, demanded non-existent debts, and threatened physical violence. Law enforcement documented at least ten episodes of criminal activity. This was reported by the press service of the National Police.

In November 2024, a report was received by the police from a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine about the theft of over 51,000 UAH from his bank card. Police established that a criminal group led by a 44-year-old criminal authority, known by the nickname "Vaso," was involved in the crime.

Previously, the criminal served as a so-called "sheriff" at the Kropyvnytskyi detention center. Currently, a case against him is being considered in court for establishing or spreading criminal influence. He involved seven of his acquaintances aged 21 to 38. Each played a role in the criminal scheme: some were responsible for finding potential victims, gaining their trust, spiking them with "clofelin" or "azaleptol," after which they gained access to mobile phones and bank accounts.

The defendants also specialized in extortion. In February 2025, police registered a report from a resident of Kropyvnytskyi, who was threatened with physical violence by members of the criminal group and demanded $500 for a non-existent debt. It was learned that a month earlier, the defendants had already stolen a mobile phone and 5,000 UAH in cash from the victim. The pressure and threats of violence from the perpetrators continued constantly.

In another case, a victim reported the loss of a phone and subsequent withdrawal of 200,000 UAH from his account. As in previous cases, police obtained evidence of the involvement of members of the "sheriff" criminal gang in the crime.

Law enforcement established at least ten similar episodes of criminal activity by the group. The estimated total damage caused to citizens amounts to approximately 400,000 UAH.

The criminal authority and six accomplices were notified of suspicion of theft under Part 4 of Article 185 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, extortion under Part 4 of Article 189, and robbery under Part 4 of Article 187. The sanctions of the charged articles provide for penalties of up to fifteen years of imprisonment with property confiscation.