On Bukovyna, the SSU exposed a criminal group that set up illegal production and sale of forged documents needed for border crossing during COVID-19.

In spring 2021, three residents of Chernivtsi organized the scheme. They rented an office and looked for customers via carriers.

The perpetrators forged certificates about the absence of coronavirus infection SARS-CoV-2, international vaccination certificates and even labor contracts with foreign employers.

For non-citizens of Ukraine, they also had a set of services. In particular, in a short period of time and without visiting medical institutions, they produced insurance cards and results of PCR tests, allegedly made abroad.

SSU established that the cost of services ranged from UAH 200 (USD 7) for the forged PCR test results to UAH 3,000 (USD 112) for the full package of documents required for a Ukrainian citizen to travel abroad. The package for a foreigner was estimated by criminals for UAH 1,000 (USD 37).

Due to illegal business, they got UAH 500,000 (USD 18,700) per month.

During the searches of the perpetrators’ office and residences, law enforcement officers seized:

• special equipment for production and forgery of documents;
• computers with the evidence of illegal activity;
• forged stamps and seals of Ukrainian and foreign companies, as well as public health facilities of Chernivtsi and other regions;
• ready-made forms and equipment for applying holograms.

The investigative actions are underway. The issue of serving the defendants suspicion notices of the illegal movement of persons across the state border of Ukraine is being resolved.

The operation was carried out by the investigators of the National Police under the supervision of the Chernivtsi Region Prosecutor's Office.