The Security Service of Ukraine and the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine have disrupted a large-scale scheme involving mass production and sale of fake Ukrainian identity documents to foreign nationals. The main clients were individuals from countries at high risk of terrorism, particularly those from the Middle East.

The investigation revealed that the foreigners used the purchased forgeries to travel to the EU and subsequently legalise their stay there.

Following comprehensive operations in the Kyiv and Bukovyna regions, two ‘clans’ of the organisers of the scheme were detained and a total of 15 individuals, including accomplices, were notified of their status as suspects.

The perpetrators sold fake Ukrainian passports, driving licences and temporary residence permits.

The cost of one ‘document’ ranged from USD 2,000 to 25,000. The price depended on the type and how quickly it was needed.

The annual ‘profit’ from this illegal business amounted to nearly UAH 15 million (USD 337,000), which was distributed among all participants in the scheme.

It was established that these services were primarily used by foreigners with links to international criminal and terrorist groups. One of them, a terrorist from the Islamic State of Khorasan Province, was convicted in an EU country.

According to the investigation, the scheme was organised by a former local council member, a businessman from Chernivtsi and a married couple from Vyshhorod, the latter of whom had set up an underground workshop in their home.

Computer equipment used to produce documents, blank forms for documents and cash obtained through criminal means were seized during the searches of the suspects’ homes.

Fifteen suspects have currently been charged under Article 199.2 of the CCU (production, storage, acquisition, transfer, and sale of holographic security elements, committed by a group, upon prior conspiracy).

The suspects face up to 10 years in prison and confiscation of property.

The operation was carried out jointly with the ESBU Territorial Directorate in the Kyiv region under the procedural supervision of the Kyiv Region Prosecutor’s Office.