The SSU continues to protect strategically important state resources. In a special operation in Kyiv region, the SSU dismantled an organized criminal group that specialized in large-scale land fraud involving the forest fund of Ukraine.

The offenders unlawfully re-registered state land plots for fictitious persons for further sale. According to the investigation, the participants of the scheme illegally withdrew over 100 hectares of forest land from the state ownership.

According to preliminary data, the group’s illegal activity caused the losses to the state of over UAH 1 bln (USD 35.5 mln).

The SSU is also verifying information on the registration of land plots for members of illegal armed formations of the temporarily occupied territories.

The investigation established that the group consisted of up to 30 members including private and state registrars, notaries, lawyers, land surveyors and former employees of the State Land Registry.

The criminal group illegally withdrew forest lands from state ownership and re-registered them for representatives of controlled commercial entities. Further, the fraudsters planned to change the intended use of the land for development and sell the plots to affiliates.

The SSU documented the unlawful appropriation of state-owned land in Bucha, Boyarka, Irpin and Dmytrivka united territorial communities.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes, the law enforcement seized computer equipment and documents with evidence of illegal activity, stamps and seals of private registrars, which they used to commit fraud.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated under Article 28.2, Article 190.4 (fraud committed on a particularly large scale by an organized group), Article 366.2 (official forgery) of the CCU. The investigation is underway to establish all circumstances of illegal activity and bring to justice those involved.

The investigators are preparing notices of suspicion. The court is to choose the measure of restraint.

The appropriated land has been seized. The necessary steps are made to restore state ownership of the plots.

The SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv Region carried out the operation together with the National Police under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.