Scheme of electricity manipulation worth UAH 447 million exposed - 5 suspects notified of suspicion
Kyiv • UNN
The prosecutor's office exposed a group of individuals who, through a network of companies, embezzled funds for electricity. The perpetrators artificially created debts to the state.
The Prosecutor's Office exposed a scheme of embezzlement of funds from PJSC NEC "Ukrenergo" that operated between 2022 and 2024. Manipulations with electricity caused damages to "Ukrenergo" amounting to 447 million hryvnias. This was reported by Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko, writes UNN.
The scheme was organized by the founder and actual controller of private energy supply companies through which electricity was sold.
The man involved four market participants in the scheme and created a network of controlled companies. Through them, they supplied electricity to end consumers and systematically manipulated consumption forecasts. They deliberately underestimated electricity needs, knowing that actual consumption would be significantly higher. That is, "on paper" they showed that little electricity was needed, but in reality, they sold much more.
As a result of these actions, a deficit arose – the difference between what was declared and what was actually used. According to the Prosecutor General, the deficit was automatically covered by the state so that consumers would not be left without electricity.
"At the same time, the scheme participants received full payment from consumers for the supplied electricity. However, instead of settling with the state, these funds were withdrawn through controlled companies and individual entrepreneurs, effectively appropriating them.
They did not repay the debt to "Ukrenergo," but on the contrary, artificially accumulated it, drove companies to hopeless debt, and initiated bankruptcy proceedings. Then the scheme was repeated with new companies," Kravchenko explained the perpetrators' scheme.
The result of such actions was damages exceeding 447 million hryvnias.
According to the Prosecutor General, all participants in the scheme have been notified of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The organizer is additionally charged under Part 3 of Article 27 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The issue of choosing pre-trial detention measures for them is being resolved.
"Currently, law enforcement officers are checking additional episodes and possible similar damages for 2025-2026.
The investigation is ongoing. We are establishing the full circle of involved persons and checking other possible episodes of criminal activity for 2025-2026," Kravchenko added.