Law enforcement in Kyiv has dismantled a criminal organization that deceived a businessman out of almost 2 million hryvnias. The criminals were seizing construction equipment using forged rental contracts. They face up to twelve years in prison with asset confiscation.
The Obolon police, under the guidance of the local prosecutor's office and with support from special forces, halted the criminal group's operations targeting local entrepreneurs. During the investigation, it was revealed that the group's leader was a 47-year-old resident of the Kyiv region, who recruited a 31-year-old accomplice and two other aides aged 21 and 40. The perpetrators targeted companies that rented out expensive construction equipment and enlisted front individuals to sign rental agreements, subsequently selling the acquired assets.
For instance, under a fraudulent contract, they rented construction equipment valued at over 668,000 hryvnias, which they later sold for 550,000 hryvnias. The group repeated this crime using a similar scheme, renting beams and other equipment worth over 1.3 million hryvnias, which was also sold off. As a result of these fraudulent actions, the entrepreneur suffered losses totaling nearly 2 million hryvnias.
Investigators have charged all four offenders with suspicion under articles 28, 27, and 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – organizing and aiding in fraud committed by a group of individuals in collusion during martial law.