In Lviv, the SBU blocked illegal activity of one of the largest conversion centers in the country.

Allegedly, two Lviv businessmen organized the conversion center. They registered more than 70 sham companies in several regions of Ukraine.

The SBU officers documented that the offenders "serviced" enterprises of the real sector of economy, in particular preformed services and supplied goods using budget funds. The organizers practiced tax evasion, overestimation of gross expenditures, conversion of funds, contract disguise of non-commodity transactions, illegal tax credit and VAT refunds. The offenders also "assisted" customers in money laundering.

During 2020, the criminals converted almost UAH 20 billion (USD 720 million) with forgery of documents and their further use.

The law enforcement carried out 30 searches and revealed seals of sham companies, computer equipment, cash and other property worth more than UAH 60 million (USD 2.1 million). Evidence of fraud, including financial documents and secret ledger, were also seized.

The investigation upon the fact of abuse of office is ongoing.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Office in Lviv region under legal provision of the local Prosecutor’s Office.