78-year-old ‘Grandpa’ ran a scheme to resell railway tickets for millions
Kyiv • UNN
Law enforcement officers have exposed a criminal group of 15 people who earned millions by reselling international train tickets. The organizer was a 78-year-old former railroad executive who faces up to 12 years in prison.
Law enforcement officers have exposed a criminal group that earned millions on international transportation tickets of Ukrzaliznytsia JSC. Currently, 15 members of the criminal scheme have been served with suspicions, UNN reports citing ICTV.
Details
Journalists of the ICTV TV program “Facts of the Week” shared details of their large-scale investigation into the mysterious disappearance of Ukrzaliznytsia tickets.
As a result of the investigation, law enforcement officers uncovered a large-scale corruption scheme at the railroad involving 13 people (currently, 15 people have been served with suspicions). Almost UAH 5 million in cash was found during the searches. It turned out that tickets for popular flights that went on sale disappeared within 20 days of their receipt. The tickets were purchased in advance and then resold at prices two or three times higher.
The scheme involved railroad employees and heads of trade unions who approved candidates for key positions and participated in the distribution of illegal proceeds.
The main organizer was a 78-year-old man nicknamed “Grandfather” who had worked for the railroad all his life in senior positions, including deputy station manager. He is currently retired, but continues to run the scheme. While still in a managerial position, he selected an employee for himself, whom he later lobbied to be appointed to this position. He continued to carry out his criminal activities.
To make these schemes work, the head of the union personally approved candidates for train managers and conductors and explained the rules.
The investigation also revealed facts of intimidation of railroad employees by criminal elements who were involved in putting pressure on their subordinates. In particular, they used swear words:
“A bat will come for you, you will be left without legs, without a head.
Currently, “Grandfather” is in custody, but not in a pre-trial detention center, but in a hospital, because he became ill during his arrest. He faces up to 12 years in prison.
The rest of the members of the organized criminal group are already behind bars, without the right to be released on bail.To recap, law enforcement officers exposed a criminal organization that sold tickets for international trains for 300-500 euros. Due to illegal schemes, Ukrzaliznytsia lost more than UAH 73 million in profits.
