SBU cyber specialists blocked the unauthorized copying and selling of restricted data from the information and telecommunication systems of the State Tax Service of Ukraine and the State Customs Service of Ukraine.

Allegedly, the perpetrators took advantage of the vulnerabilities in departmental databases and set up the illegal scheme by means of chat bots, Internet resources and Telegram channels. Among the suspects are officials of the State Tax Service and the State Migration Service, and bank employees

The accomplices systematically sold sensitive information about the financial and economic activities of legal entities, export-import operations of commercial entities and other information protected under current law.

During the searches of the suspects’ offices and residences, law enforcement officers seized computer equipment, mobile phones and flash drives containing unauthorized copies of restricted information, bank cards and other evidence proving the illegal activity.

The issue of serving the perpetrators suspicion notices of unauthorized dissemination and distribution of information with restricted access and unauthorized actions with information, committed by persons entitled to access to such information, is being settled.

The operation was carried out jointly with the Main Investigation Department of the National Police of Ukraine, the Office for Prevention and Detection of Corruption of the State Tax Service of Ukraine in cooperation with the State Tax Service of Ukraine and the State Customs Service of Ukraine, under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.

The investigation is ongoing.