In Lviv’s night-time entertainment venues, three visitors fell victim to theft and fraud, as a result of which almost 3.15 million hryvnias were debited from their bank cards. This was reported by the Lviv region police.
According to the pre-trial investigation, more than 400,000 hryvnias were fraudulently withdrawn from the bank card of a 36-year-old man. A 37-year-old customer had over 2.3 million hryvnias taken in the same way, and 367,000 hryvnias disappeared from the card of a 40-year-old man.
On the basis of these incidents, criminal proceedings have been opened under Part 4 of Article 185 (theft), Parts 3 and 5 of Article 190 (fraud) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanctions under these articles provide for a penalty of up to twelve years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
On 16 October, investigators and operatives of Lviv District Police Department No. 1, together with officers of the Criminal Investigation Department of the Lviv region police, with tactical support from special forces, carried out 17 authorised searches in three night-time entertainment venues in Lviv, four cars and at the residences of individuals linked to these establishments.
During the searches, law enforcement officers seized computers and other digital equipment, documentation, rough notes and other physical evidence of possible involvement in unlawful activities. The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, and police are identifying individuals who may be involved in the crimes.