In Kyiv oblast, SSU cyber specialists blocked large-scale production and sale of counterfeit documents of Ukrainian central authorities and law enforcement agencies.

During the investigation, the SSU seized fake IDs and passes for vehicles of the Office of the President of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, the Prosecutor General’s Office, the SSU, the SBI and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The cost of one ‘document’ ranged from USD 50 to 500. The amount depended on the name of the agency and period of use.

Due to the SSU’s prompt response, the scheme was exposed and possible use of fake documents by russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups to travel along Ukrainian roads was prevented.

According to the investigation, the scheme was set up by an employee of a design organization in Obukhiv. For serial production of counterfeits, the man used specialized computer equipment of the organization.

The finished ‘products’ were put up for sale through anonymous accounts on Darknet and Telegram.

The forger received money from ‘customers’ to crypto-wallets and bank cards registered to other persons.

Among the identified clients were residents of frontline districts of Kherson, Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.

According to preliminary data, the offender tried to sell over 2,000 ‘fake’ passes.

During the searches at the suspect’s home and in the office of the company, where he produced counterfeits, the law enforcers found:

• fake passes and IDs;
• computer equipment and mobile phones with evidence of unlawful activity;
• bank cards to which payments for ‘services’ were made.

Based on the collected evidence, the detainee is going to be notified of suspicion of offence under Article 358 of the CCU (forgery of documents, seals, stamps and forms, sale or use of forged documents, seals, stamps). Court is to decide on custody as a measure of restraint.

The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region exposed the crime with the procedural supervision of Sviatoshynskyi District Prosecutor’s Office of Kyiv.