Son of the former Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Combating Organised Crime suspected of shielding fraudulent call centres

Suspicion of shielding a criminal network

Volodymyr Tsenov, who previously held the position of First Deputy Head of the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police, has been placed under suspicion of providing cover for fraudulent call centres. These actions were uncovered during an investigation by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) under the code name 'Carthage'. According to the prosecution, the suspect, known in the case materials as 'Price', received $7,000 monthly to ensure that the police did not interfere with the criminal scheme. In addition, he provided details for receiving cryptocurrency funds and helped return seized equipment.

Investigators are examining transfers totalling 223,995 USDT made between January and July 2026. On 5 November, the Anti-Corruption Court selected a preventive measure for Volodymyr Tsenov in the form of detention until 3 January 2027. The alternative is the payment of bail in the amount of 15 million UAH. The prosecution insisted on bail of 20 million UAH, while the defence requested house arrest or bail of up to 998,000 UAH. No verdict has been issued at this time.

Career and family connections

The suspect's father, Mykola Volodymyrovych Tsenov, is a former First Deputy Head of the Main Directorate for Combating Organised Crime of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. After completing his service in the ministry, he headed the organisation 'Citizens of Ukraine in the Fight Against Organised Crime' (Unified State Register of Legal Entities code 39728775), registered in April 2015 together with Mykola Khatshev, Vadym Lashuk, and Ihor Hrushovskyi. The organisation has been in the process of liquidation since 2017 and is currently dissolved. The registers also list the 'Centre of Mercy' Foundation (38239530) under the same full name, although the status of the head requires clarification.

Mykola's eldest son, Dmytro Tsenov, worked in units combating economic and organised crime. From 2016 to 2019, he headed the police of Kyiv Oblast. Following the incident involving the death of five-year-old Kyrylo Tliavov from a police officer's gunshot, he was transferred to the area of the Joint Forces Operation (JFO). In his 2019 declaration, Dmytro declared a house of 240 m² and a land plot of 1,706 m² in Kyiv.

Volodymyr Tsenov worked in a managerial position in the National Police's internal security structure from 2017 to 2019. From 2020, he served in the Department of Strategic Investigations, and in April 2026, he temporarily headed this department. In July of this year, the brothers were mentioned in a conflict surrounding the company 'Ukrainska Yagoda' (38284211). Entrepreneur Artem Tyshchenko allegedly called himself a godfather (kum) of one of the brothers. The case materials featured the 'KAMparitet' consortium, assets under the management of the State Agency for the Management of Seized Assets (ARMA), probable cash sales of the harvest, and a debt of 20 million UAH. Lawyers demanded the refutation of these accusations; the brothers' involvement in the violations has not been officially proven.

Financial contributions and declarations

In 2019, Mykola Tsenov Sr. transferred 500,000 UAH to the 'Servant of the People' party. This fact was established by journalists and confirmed by the CHESNO movement. At the same time, no official entrepreneurial business was found under his name.

Volodymyr Tsenov's 2025 declaration notes the possession of a house of 572.2 m² in Kryukivshchyna (purchase value 310,000 UAH), an apartment of 59.3 m², land plots, and a house of 240.1 m² that is in family use. His wife, Ksenia, has an apartment of approximately 32 m². The family owns a Mazda CX-5 car. Monetary assets include $50,000 and €30,000 in cash, as well as €2,905, $2,199, and 70,600 UAH in bank accounts.

Volodymyr's annual income consisted of 931,600 UAH in salary and 37,800 UAH from the sale of electricity. His wife received 1.96 million UAH from entrepreneurial activity and 238,100 UAH in salary from the company 'Terrafud' (36867724).

Details of the 'Carthage' operation

On 4 November, NABU and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) announced the uncovering of a criminal organisation as part of the 'Carthage' operation. According to the investigation, the group, which numbered at least 12 individuals, included employees of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), the police, the prosecution, and representatives of the criminal world. They shielded the activities of fraudulent call centres, the U420 drug network, counterfeit cigarettes, currency counterfeiting, and theft. The probable organisers are Andriy Osypov (callsign 'Kryminal') and a Russian citizen with the callsign 'Mexican'. The network covered 52 call centres where more than 2,700 people worked.

The involvement of Mykola Tsenov and his eldest son Dmytro in the 'Carthage' case has not been established. However, the history of personnel appointments, political contacts, and family assets of this dynasty requires separate verification.