Scheme for selling 29 vehicles imported as humanitarian aid exposed in Kyiv region

Scheme of illegal vehicle import and sale exposed

Detectives from the Territorial Directorate of the Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) in Kyiv region uncovered a group engaged in the illegal import of cars. The criminals declared the vehicles as humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, but in reality, they sold them to private buyers.

According to the investigation materials, the suspects are a father and son. They purchased cars on European online platforms and brought them into the country on behalf of charitable foundations. No customs duties were paid during the cross-border movement.

No car reached the front line

After import, the vehicles were not handed over to the military. Instead, they were listed for sale on trading platforms and in messenger groups. It was possible to sell 29 such vehicles.

During the initial searches, law enforcement officers found another 49 cars that were prepared for further sales and seized them.

Search results and suspicion

At the suspects' places of residence and in warehouses where the cars were stored, inspectors found mobile phones with work correspondence, as well as documents containing "black accounting" data.

Both organisers of the scheme have been notified of suspicion of committing a crime under Part 2 of Article 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (smuggling of excisable goods in a significant amount). The court selected a preventive measure in the form of detention in custody with bail set at 1 million hryvnias for one of the suspects.

Investigation progress and inter-agency cooperation

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Law enforcement officers are determining the exact amount of damage caused to the state and finding out whether other individuals are involved in the scheme.

Operational support for the case is provided by officers of the "Kyiv" Operational Corps of Border Police of the State Border Guard Service, the Main Directorate of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kyiv city and Kyiv region, the State Treasury Service, and the State Customs Service.

Procedural supervision at all stages of the investigation is carried out by prosecutors of the Kyiv Regional Prosecutor's Office.