In Dnipropetrovsk region, the SSU exposed an NGO that under the guise of fighting against corruption extorted money from local businesses. In case entrepreneurs refused to pay, they generated ‘public response’ and caused reputational damage.

The criminal scheme was organized by the head of a local NGO. The fraudster thoroughly checked state registers and databases if the business had permits and in case of inconsistencies reported this to the police.

After that, the ‘activist’ initiated a personal meeting with the businessperson and offered ‘assistance’. Then, as an ultimatum, he announced the sum for ‘redemption’, which ranged from USD 3,000 to 5,000.

To those who refused, the ‘activists’ applied an arsenal of public influence: blocked the company’s activities, invited journalists to demonstrations presenting it as fight against the business executives who broke the law, etc.

The offenders used similar methods to pressure the law enforcement agencies to work effectively on their applications.

The law enforcement detained the organiser when he received UAH 70,000 (USD 2,500) for non-interference in a local fuel business.

During the searches of the NGO’s office, the home and vehicle of the ‘fighter against corruption’, the investigators seized:

• mobile phones and hard drives with evidence of illegal activity;
• documents and records of transactions with victims.

The NGO’s head has been notified of suspicion of bribery (Art. 368-3.4 CCU). The investigation is underway to establish the involvement of the organization in pressuring other businesses.

The SSU Office in Dnipropetrovsk region carried out the operation together with the National Police investigators under the supervision of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Prosecutor’s Office.