Poltava region: investigation into fictitious methanol sales worth UAH 32 million

Remote scheme involving document forgery

The Bureau of Economic Security (BEB) in Poltava region is investigating a criminal scheme related to the fictitious sale of methanol. According to the investigation, documentation for the supply of goods was processed remotely, while the seals and signatures of the formal company directors were applied by accountants.

It was established that no later than October 2022, three accountants agreed to keep records and prepare primary documents for enterprises that did not engage in real business activities. All instructions were sent via the Telegram messenger, and the remote desktop server where the files were created was located abroad.

Details of "Khimsyntez" operations

The central element of the scheme was Khimsyntez LLC (EDRPOU code 40058339), registered in Poltava in 2015. Andrii Mykhailovych Hleta is listed as the sole founder and director, and the company's charter capital was UAH 2,000.

From October 2022 to October 2023, the enterprise allegedly sold fuel and lubricants under the item "Methanol (methyl alcohol)" to four counterparties. The total amount of operations reached UAH 32.23 million, of which UAH 5.37 million was value-added tax.

The investigation claims that no actual supply of goods took place. Documents were issued to unknown third parties for cash. In its tax reporting, "Khimsyntez" did not reflect these operations and did not register tax invoices, resulting in the state budget losing UAH 5.37 million in VAT.

Counterparties and distribution of funds

The documents list four companies as buyers:

• Lekles LLC (44476212) — the largest amount, UAH 19.43 million (VAT UAH 3.24 million);
• Ronmil LLC (44410717) — UAH 6.17 million;
• Albin LTD LLC (44445755) and Storetrade LTD LLC (42988377) — UAH 6.64 million combined.

Liability of scheme participants

The accountants prepared contracts, issue and cargo-transport invoices, sealing them with the stamps of fictitious firms and facsimiles of the directors' signatures. Investigators classify these papers as forged.

Formal directors were involved in the scheme for monetary compensation. Three directors — of "Ronmil", "Albin LTD", and "Lekles" — have already been found guilty under plea bargains. Verdicts were issued in July, August, and November 2024. They confirmed that they did not exercise actual management of the companies.

One of the accountants, a native of Dokuchaivsk in Donetsk region, is charged with aiding in intentional tax evasion in significant amounts by prior conspiracy, as well as forging official documents and using knowingly forged documents. According to the investigation, she performed the duties of accountant at Lekles LLC and, from November 2022 to June 2023, signed and stamped documents for the purchase of methanol on behalf of a nominee director.