In Donetsk region, the SBU suppressed activity of an interregional group that forged EU passports.

Allegedly, three residents of Zaporizzhia organized an illegal scheme. In the regional center, they equipped a clandestine printing office. The offenders involved several employees of legal employment companies in the scam. Counterfeits were sold through two recruitment agencies with offices in Kyiv, Zaporizzhia, Odesa and Donetsk regions. A "fake" passport costed EUR 200.

Law enforcement officers conducted 9 authorized searches in the offenders’ offices and residences in Zaporizzhia, Dnipro and Bila Tserkva. During the investigation, more than 20 forged passports, 600 plastic forms for making documents, printing and computer equipment were seized. Cash, bank cards, mobile phones, stamps, seals, draft notes proving illegal activity were also found.

According to preliminary estimates, the value of the seized counterfeits and forms is UAH 18 m (USD 647,811) in the black market.

The SBU conducts the investigation on forgery and fraud. The issue of serving the offenders suspicion notices is being resolved.

Investigative actions are underway to identify and prosecute all involved individuals.

The operation was carried out jointly with investigators of the National Police under the supervision of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office.