UAH 7.5 million scheme: fraudsters cheated farmers through fake companies
6 March 2025 06:28
Law enforcement officers exposed a criminal organization that defrauded entrepreneurs and farmers under the guise of selling diesel fuel and mineral fertilizers. The total amount of losses reaches UAH 7.5 million. This was reported by the police press service, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports
The criminal group consisted of eight people. The offenders bought limited liability companies that had registered activities in the field of wholesale trade. They then gained access to bank accounts, e-mails, and other company documents.
The fictitious companies were used to post ads on social media and via SMS about the sale of fuel and fertilizers at below-market prices. They entered into electronic contracts with farmers and entrepreneurs for the supply of goods on a prepaid basis, but after receiving the funds, they disappeared from the communication.
The victims include 19 Ukrainian companies that fell victim to the fraudsters during the year.
Police conducted a special operation in Vinnytsia, Odesa, Kyiv regions and Kyiv. During the searches, they seized computer equipment, mobile phones, accounting documents, draft records, and forged seals.
Eight members of the criminal organization were served suspicion notices under Articles 190 (Fraud) and 255 (Creation of a criminal organization) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
