The Security Service of Ukraine has exposed a criminal scheme in the National Agency of Ukraine for finding, tracing and management of assets derived from corruption and other crimes (ARMA). According to available information, the management of the institution colluded and illegally seized property that was under the control of ARMA.

The amount involved was USD 395 000, which were seized by the court and managed by the ARMA.

The SBU officers found that instead of storing in the ARMA, these funds were illegally transferred to the bank account of a sham person. This happened as a result of a criminal collusion between ARMA management and private lawyers.

The funds were withdrawn on the basis of consciously forged decision of the Pechersk court of Kyiv city.

During searches at the places of work and actual residence of ARMA officials, material evidence confirming the fact of misappropriation of funds was seized.

Temporary accesses were made and bank secrecy was lifted regarding the movement of these USD 395 000. The telephone connections of ARMA officials and others involved were also analyzed. As a result, the facts of contacts and personal meetings in periods of time important for criminal proceedings are confirmed.

Currently, 6 persons were served suspicion notice of misappropriation, embezzlement or conversion of property by malversation.

Measures to expose the perpetrators were carried out by the SBU Main Directorate for Combating Corruption and Organized Crime and the employees of the State Bureau of Investigation under the procedural guidance of the Prosecutor’s General Office.