The SSU has exposed criminals who counterfeited certificates of negative PCR test results on a massive scale. Their clients included a lot of those who wanted to cross the administrative border with the temporarily occupied Crimea.

The scheme has been in operation for at least six months, and the group’s ‘profits’ amounted to over UAH 500,000 a month (USD 19,000).

According to the investigation, two residents of Henichesk district, Kherson region, set up the scheme and operated at Chonhar checkpoint.

Initially, they ‘served’ vacationers who wanted to enter the territory of the temporarily occupied peninsula. Some of them had international COVID certificates; however, as those are not recognized by the occupying authorities, they had to do a PCR test to cross the border.

Exploiting the situation, the fraudsters offered travellers certificates with negative PCR test result without visiting any labs. They charged UAH 1,500 (USD 54) per certificate.

Later, bus carriers joined the scheme, including those operating from the temporarily occupied territories. They often transport people to the government-controlled territory, for example, to update documents to receive social benefits etc.

Before embarking on the route, the entrepreneur and the bus driver requested photos of passengers’ passports and sent them to partners in Kherson. At Chonhar checkpoint, ‘customers’ received fake PCR test certificates and proceeded to the demarcation line.

One counterfeit document for this category of travellers cost from UAH 700 (USD 26).

The items seized during the searches of the offenders’ home addresses and vehicles include:

• fake PCR test certificates with details of one of the certified national medical institutions;
• electronic data carriers and mobile phones with evidence of illegal activity.

The offenders are going to be served notices of suspicion of fraud (Article 190.3 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

Investigation is underway to identify and bring to justice all those involved.

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