In the Dnipropetrovsk region, law enforcement officials have announced suspicions against three members of a criminal group who allegedly defrauded relatives of Ukrainian soldiers missing in action or captured, amounting to nearly 3 million hryvnias.

According to the investigation, the criminals searched social networks for announcements about missing or captured soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. They then contacted relatives via messengers, offering them "help" in returning their loved ones from captivity or in medical treatment.

For these "services," the fraudsters demanded payment, which victims transferred to their controlled bank cards.

At this time, law enforcement has identified 14 victims from various regions of Ukraine. During searches of the suspects, mobile phones, documents, cash, and bank cards were seized.

All three suspects have been charged under Part 5 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - fraud committed in especially large amounts as part of an organized group. Preventive measures have been chosen for them.

Their involvement in another 12 episodes of fraud, with total damages of around 5 million hryvnias, is also being investigated.