The SBU stopped the activities of an interregional organized criminal group. The members specialized in the illegal transportation of foreigners and Ukrainians to EU countries. The offenders forged passports of the European countries, as well as the EU employment contracts.

SBU operatives established that the group had been operating for the last 3 years. Every month they had from five to 10 clients. The cost of a forged passport was USD 2,500, whereas a forged employment contract ranged from USD 600 to 800.

According to Art. 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine, the SBU detained red-handed the organizer in Kyiv region. He handed over to foreigners two forged EU passports. The detainee received suspicion notice of committing a crime.

During the searches of the offenders’ residence, addresses of production and storage of forged documents in Cherkasy and Zakarpattia regions, law enforcement seized:

• forged passports and employment contracts;
• means of communication and draft records;
• cash allegedly obtained illegally;
• other evidence of illicit activity.

Currently, the issue of serving three more offenders suspicion notices of organization of illegal transportation of persons across the state border of Ukraine, committed by an organized group and for selfish motives, is being resolved.

The operation was carried out by the SBU Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime jointly with investigators of the Main National Police Directorate in Kyiv region under the supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor's Office.