In Dnipro, the SSU Counterintelligence uncovered a channel of legalization of illicit migrants from the Middle East.

The group used fictitious marriages in Ukraine to legalize foreign nationals. Using personal connections in government agencies, they ensured a fast-track procedure of verification by migration authorities and issuance of permits.

They charged USD 3,500 for a package of documents for permanent residence in Ukraine.

According to the investigation, the organizers were two Ukrainians and two foreign nationals, natives of the Caucasus region, who looked for clients in social networks and local ethnic communities.

After receiving the order, the offenders selected Ukrainian women from their own ‘database’ who, for a monetary reward, concluded fictitious marriages with foreigners.

The next step was to involve representatives of state migration entities. The latter provided a simplified, speedy verification of the foreigners and issuance of permits.

After obtaining a temporary or permanent residence permit in Ukraine, they applied for citizenship.

The scheme has been in operation for 3 years, enabling the fraudsters to make over USD 150,000.

The searches at the suspects’ homes and in the premises of state institutions led to the seizure of computers and mobile phones with evidence of illegal activity, official forms with seals of state migration authorities and bank cards used to receive payments.

The investigators are preparing notices of suspicion.

The SSU Office in Dnipropetrovsk region carried out the operation together with the National Police under the supervision of Dnipropetrovsk Region Prosecutor’s Office.