The SBU blocked the illegal activity of a group that embezzled budget funds, allocated for the overhaul of ships that ensure the safety of navigation. The group acted by prior agreement with the official of the State Hydrographic Service.

The SBU documented that the scheme was organized by the management of a company located in the city of Odesa.

The SBU operatives established that the offenders, with the “support” of the official, entered false data into the reporting documents on the implementation of the public procurement contract. The perpetrators significantly overestimated the cost of materials and the amount of work performed on the overhaul of ships of the navigation and hydrographic fleet.

After the transferring of budget funds from the treasury account, the organizers laundered the money via the network of controlled dummy companies.

Currently, three persons, including the official of the State Hydrographic Service, were served a notice of suspicion of fraud committed in respect of especially gross amount upon prior conspiracy.

A petition regarding the detention of the group members was sent to court.

The law enforcement officers are investigating the offenders’ property and assets, which may be seized to compensate for the damage.

The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was conducted by the SBU Main Directorate for Counterintelligence Protection of the State's Interests in the Sphere of Economic Security jointly with Kyiv Local Prosecutor’s Office No.7.