Under the procedural supervision of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office, an indictment against three members of the organized group on the facts of fraud (Part 4, 5 Art. 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) was sent to court. Their accomplices, three men who were not members of the organized group, were charged with aiding and abetting fraud (Part 5 of Article 27 – Part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).
The investigation established that the defendants, while in prison, developed a fraudulent scheme to seize citizens’ funds.
To do this, the convicts used fake accounts on Facebook to post ads for the sale of auto parts. In their correspondence, they discussed with the “buyers” the details of payment and shipment of goods that did not actually exist. The victims paid an advance payment for non-existent goods to bank accounts provided by the accomplices for the defendants’ use, and then stopped contacting them. And, accordingly, no orders were received by the “clients”.
During the searches, the law enforcement officers found and seized mobile phones, bank and SIM cards, and draft records.
13 episodes of such illegal activity were documented.
The pre-trial investigation was carried out by investigators of the Main Department of the National Police in Lviv region, with operational support provided by the Cybercrime Department in Lviv region of the Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine.
Note: In accordance with Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and shall not be subjected to criminal punishment until his or her guilt is proved by law and established by a court verdict of guilty.
Information Policy Department
of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor’s Office