The SSU dismantled a transnational criminal group engaged in legalization of foreigners in the EU. In an operation in Kyiv region, the Service exposed the organizers and shut down their clandestine printing shop that forged documents necessary to ‘legally’ enter and stay in the EU.

The offenders were selling ready-made fakes to migrants from the Middle East, as well as Afghanistan, Somalia and other countries with an increased terrorist threat.

According to preliminary estimates, the value of illicit transactions was over UAH 40 mln (USD 1.5 mln). The group has served at least 1,000 ‘clients’.

The fraudsters forged a range of documents: European permanent residence permits, driver's licenses and ID-cards. Communication with ‘customers’ was maintained through a clandestine call center.

The searches at the printing house and the suspects’ residences resulted in the seizure of:

• forged documents,
• equipment for falsifying documents,
• forms, seals and devices for placing holograms,
• communication devices with evidence of illegal activity,
• ‘customer’ database,
• money that apparently is proceeds of crime.

The investigators are preparing notifications of suspicion. The court is to decide on the measure of restraint.

Pre-trial investigation is underway to establish all the circumstances of the offence and bring the involved to justice.

The SSU Counterintelligence Department carried out the operation jointly with the SSU Main Investigative Directorate under the supervision of the Prosecutor’s Office.