SBU exposed and stopped in Kharkiv region illegal activities of a criminal group manufacturing forged diplomas of higher education for DNR militants.

Allegedly, a group of residents of Kharkiv and Kyiv regions set up a large-scale production of fake diplomas of Ukrainian universities. Their clients were members of the illegal armed groups who used forgeries for promotion and receiving fake officer ranks.

The suspects placed orders on special websites and received money via electronic transfers. Afterwards, the documents were sent to the occupied areas of Donetsk region through the temporarily controlled territories of the Ukrainian border via post office.

According to the investigation, they produced and sold almost one hundred forged diplomas per month. On average, the cost of one diploma reached to USD 500, depending on the university level. Additionally, the group members used the numbers of real diplomas previously issued while manufacturing fakes.

As a result, one of the members of the criminal group was detained in the post office in Kharkiv regional center on sending forged diploma to militant of DNR artillery brigade.

The issue of serving the detainee a suspicion notice of committing the crime stipulated by Part 3. Art. 110-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine is being resolved.

During searches at the rented office in Kyiv city and offenders’ places of residence, SBU investigators seized and included to the investigation all evidences proving illicit activities.

The operation was carried out by SBU Office in Kharkiv region jointly with the SBU Department of Protection of National Statehood under the procedural guidance of the the Prosecutor's Office of Kharkiv region.