Military was cheated of 46 million in a scheme to sell cars and drones for the Armed Forces: Ukraine and Moldova jointly expose gang

The police stopped the activities of an organized criminal group whose members were "selling" non-existent drones and cars for the Armed Forces of Ukraine on the Internet. Currently, 67 episodes of criminal activity have been established, and the preliminary amount of losses exceeds UAH 46 million. Some criminals were detained as part of an international special operation in the Republic of Moldova, the Cyber Police Department of the National Police and the Office of the Prosecutor General reported on Wednesday, UNN reports.

Details

Ukrainian and Moldovan law enforcement officers exposed an organized group of criminals who have been defrauding Ukrainian military, their families and volunteers since 2023 under the pretext of selling non-existent cars and drones to the Armed Forces.

The prosecutors of both countries set up a joint investigation team.

Law enforcers established that the crimes were committed by individuals aged 17 to 46. With the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, eight defendants, who lived in Odesa region, moved to the Republic of Moldova, where they reportedly began to implement fraudulent schemes.

"The criminal activity was organized by a 34-year-old native of Russia, who distributed among his accomplices the responsibilities of supplying sim cards of Ukrainian mobile operators to Moldova, creating fake ads on popular marketplaces and an advertising campaign to promote their "services" on the Internet," the statement said.

According to cyber police, the offenders posted ads for the sale of vehicles for the Armed Forces at attractive prices. According to the police, the offenders communicated with potential buyers in one of the messengers and agreed to pay for the delivery of a car from abroad or the purchase of drones.

"The most cynical thing was that the offenders demanded that the victims document their affiliation with the Armed Forces or volunteer activities. Then, having received money from them, the scammers mocked the victims, expressed slogans in support of the Russian Federation, deleted correspondence and blocked customers without fulfilling their obligations," the statement said.

According to law enforcement officers, the offenders withdrew money from ATMs in the Republic of Moldova or used it for online payments. The money was allegedly legalized through the purchase of premium vehicles and gold jewelry.

Within the framework of international cooperation, the police conducted 23 searches in the Republic of Moldova and 13 in Odesa and Dnipro regions at the residences and vehicles of the suspects.

Reportedly, money in the amount of about 250 thousand hryvnias, 61 thousand dollars, 20 premium vehicles, about 5 kg of gold items, mobile phones, more than 80 cards of banks in Moldova, Ukraine and Russia, weapons, draft records, and computer equipment were seized.

So far, 67 episodes of criminal activity have been identified, and the preliminary amount of losses exceeds UAH 46 million

According to the Office of the Prosecutor General, the law enforcement authorities of the Republic of Moldova have so far notified 9 Ukrainian citizens of suspicion of fraud (part 6 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Moldova). At present, as indicated, 8 out of 9 suspects in the Republic of Moldova have been chosen a preventive measure in the form of detention without the possibility of bail.

Ukrainian law enforcement officers are investigating criminal proceedings under Part 4 of Article 190 (Fraud), Article 209 (Legalization (laundering) of the proceeds of crime) of the Criminal Code. They face up to 12 years in prison.