In Zhytomyr region, the SBU blocked the activity of an organized group, forging documents for foreigners for their further departure to the EU. Among the clients were persons who illegally arrived from countries of high terrorist risk.

The group members were forging the following documents:

• birth certificates;
• driver’s licences and pensioner ID cards;
• secondary-school certificates and higher education diplomas;
• vehicle registration certificates.

The “full pack” of documents costed USD 2,000. Allegedly, the group members had up to ten clients per month.

The suspects also offered “support” to their clients during the registration of documents for departure abroad in the regional offices of the State Migration Service.

Reportedly, the illegal scheme was set up by a resident of the city of Zhytomyr, who was previously convicted for organization of illegal transfer of persons across the state border of Ukraine. The suspect involved two accomplices into the illegal activity.

The law enforcement detained the organizer of the group during his attempt of illegal registration of the client’s documents in a regional office of the State Migration Service.

During the searches of the underground printing office, the law enforcement seized:

• equipment for making forged passports;
• stamps and seals of state authorities;
• great number of forged documents;
• computer equipment with customer base;
• document forms and blanks;

The seized documents and items were sent for examination.

The investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all those involed in illegal movement of persons across the state border of Ukraine and forgery of documents, stamps, seals or letterheads, and sale or use of forged documents. In particular, the information concerning the involvement of customs officers in the unlawful activities is being checked.

The operation was conducted jointly with the detectives of the Investigative Department of the Main Directorate of the National Police in Zhytomyr region, under the supervision of Zhytomyr Region Prosecutor's Office.