The SBU in cooperation with the US law enforcement agencies conducted a special operation and blocked forgery of documents. In Lviv region, the offenders issued forged ID cards of the EU countries, as well as other permission documents. They provided their services via Darknet.

The offenders issued forged ID cards that helped illegal immigrants, in particular from the Middle East, to unlawfully cross the state borders of EU countries and legalize there.

The offenders issued several dozens of forged documents per month. Then, international drivers transported illegal documents abroad.

Within the criminal proceeding, the law enforcement conducted several searches of the suspects’ residences and offices. During the searches, they seized seals, forms, holograms and computer equipment proving the illegal activity.

The SBU initiated the criminal proceedings of illegal movement of persons across the state border of Ukraine.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out by cyber specialists and investigators of the SBU Office in Lviv region jointly with the SBU Department of Cyber Security, and the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations.