Court fines pro-Trukhanov activist Lutsyk 209,000 hryvnia for fraud

Verdict for attempting to sell forged certificates

The Primorsky District Court of Odesa delivered a guilty verdict against Artur Lutsyk, who held the position of head of the public organisation "Odesa Youth Union" and was a delegate of the Youth Council at the Odesa City Mayor's office. The judge sentenced him to a fine of 209,000 hryvnia.

Lutsyk's actions were qualified as incitement to the provision of undue advantage and a completed attempt at fraud committed under martial law conditions.

Chronology of the criminal scheme

The events unfolded in October 2024. At that time, Lutsyk offered two acquaintances to produce temporary certificates for persons subject to military service with a notation of "unfit for military service during wartime". He convinced his interlocutors that he had connections with officials of the district Territorial Centre for Recruitment and Social Support (TCRS) and could influence their decisions. For this "service", he demanded 2,500 dollars from each client.

On 28 October 2024, near the entrance to the Istanbul Park (from the Primorsky Boulevard side) in Odesa, Lutsyk handed the documents to the men and received a total sum of 5,000 dollars from them. He was detained immediately after receiving the funds.

During the investigation, it was established that no actions were taken by actual TCRS employees. Lutsyk independently ordered a TCRS seal via the internet and personally produced the document forms. Thus, the scheme was purely fraudulent.

Qualification and circumstances of the case

The court found Lutsyk guilty under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:

• Part 4 of Article 27, Part 2 of Article 15, Part 1 of Article 369 (incitement to a completed attempt to provide undue advantage);
• Part 2 of Article 15, Part 3 of Article 190 (completed attempt at fraud under martial law conditions, causing significant harm).

During the trial, Artur Lutsyk fully admitted his guilt and sincerely repented. The court took into account his positive character reference and did not establish any aggravating circumstances.

Activist's activities prior to the case

Previously, Artur Lutsyk positioned himself as a public activist. In 2022, his organisation was involved in providing humanitarian aid to military personnel and internally displaced persons. However, the incident involving the production of fictitious documents during the general mobilisation led to a criminal case, which concluded with a guilty verdict.

The swindler Lutsyk continues to collect funds from trusting citizens.