Large-scale special operation in Kyiv and regions
Ukrainian law enforcement agencies dismantled a major cross-border criminal group that had set up a conveyor belt for producing forged documents. The joint operation was carried out by detectives from the Bureau of Economic Security (BES), the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), and the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office. This was reported by the Director of the BES, Alexander Tsyvinsky, in his Telegram channel, as reported by RBC-Ukraine.
The special operation covered not only the capital but also the western regions of the country. During the large-scale actions, law enforcement officers conducted about 30 raids to completely destroy the infrastructure of the illegal business.
Fake passports for entry into the EU and Canada
The main specialization of the group members was the production of forged passports of Ukrainian citizens. These documents were intended for foreigners planning illegal migration. With the help of fakes, migrants ensured themselves unimpeded entry and subsequent legalization in countries of the European Union and Canada.
However, the activities of the dealers were not limited to passports only. Underground production facilities have set up mass production of a wide range of forgeries necessary to create a fictitious status in other countries.
What was seized from the criminals
During the raids, operatives discovered an arsenal of documents that allow one to completely forge a person's identity and property status. The list of seized items includes:
- Higher education diplomas;
- Driver's licenses;
- Birth and marriage certificates;
- Fictitious deeds for real estate and land plots.
Multi-million shadow business
The Bureau of Economic Security emphasized that the scheme worked like a well-oiled criminal business. The group had a wide international network of contacts and generated multi-million shadow incomes.
Currently, law enforcement officers are continuing urgent investigative actions. The main task at this stage is to identify the full circle of persons involved in the activities of the group, as well as to identify international links and channels of financing the illegal business. Previously, the BES had already demonstrated effectiveness in the fight against financial fraud by dismantling a large currency exchange center with a network of 500 companies.