The SSU Cyber Security Department has collected irrefutable evidence against officials of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine, who were engaged in fraud in the construction sector.

Having no such right or power, they ‘issued’ new architect certificates. The fraudsters illegally changed personal data in previously issued certificates.

To do this, a representative of the National Union of Architects, instructed by his supervisor, handed over his electronic key to a third person to log into the electronic system. Using the key and gaps in the system’s security protocols, a perpetrator tampered with personal data in the old certificates of architects from the occupied Crimea, changing them into the required new ones.

Court can recognize all actions of the architects with such bogus documents illegal, which will entail negative consequences for developers and citizens.

The SSU uncovered and blocked the scheme as a result of an operation in the end of 2022.

The SSU and the Ministry of Digital Transformation spoke about the details of these efforts at a joint briefing in January.

During the searches of the suspects’ homes and workplaces, the law enforcement found the electronic key to the System, computer equipment and other digital media with evidence of the offence, which was later confirmed by the forensic computer and technical examination.

Based on the collected evidence, the head of the National Union of Architects of Ukraine, his deputy and the IT specialist who carried out the interference were notified of suspicion under Article 361.2 of the CCU (unauthorized interference with information (automated), electronic communication, information and communication systems, electronic communication networks, upon prior conspiracy by a group of persons).

The SSU Cyber Security Department carried out the investigation jointly with the National Police investigators under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.