In Kyiv region, the SSU dismantled a ‘detective agency’ that specialized in illegal surveillance of citizens, including with special equipment used by law enforcement.

The agency had been operating for over 2 years and offered its ‘services’ to both individuals and businesses, e.g. they could gather intelligence on a business partner or ‘spy’ on office employees.

The SSU documented multiple episodes when ‘detectives’ carried out surveillance of persons using special equipment for photo and video recording.

The offenders intercepted mobile telephone conversations, tracked target’s movement, installed audio and video surveillance equipment in premises and vehicles, established location of mobile phones with special devices used by law enforcement.

They charged:

• USD 400 for a printout of a telephone conversation;
• USD 200 per hour for movement tracking;
• USD 1000 for installing surveillance equipment in an office.

The law enforcement detained the organizer ‘red-handed’ after receiving a payment of USD 1350 for providing illegally obtained intelligence to the customer.

The items seized in the searches of homes and offices of the members of the group include:

• communication devices, surveillance equipment and components to them;
• files of operational cases with illegally obtained information;
• computers and mobile phones with evidence of illegal activity.

The organizer of the ‘agency’ has been notified of suspicion of illegal acquisition, sale or use of special technical means to obtain information.

Investigation is underway to bring to justice all members of the group.

The SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region carried out the operation together with the Department of Internal Security of the National Police under the supervision of the Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.