The SSU conducted a large-scale special operation exposing a criminal organization involved in illegal movement of foreigners, smuggling and selling counterfeit currency.

The organizer of the criminal network is a resident of Odesa. Jointly with his accomplices, he contacted members of international criminal organizations that supplied them with illegal migrants as well as large sums of counterfeit US dollars.

The perpetrators used forged Interpol IDs.

Allegedly, they could supply any amount of counterfeit cash, which they sold at 50% of its nominal value.

Only during the SSU surveillance, the perpetrators sold currency worth tens of thousands US dollars. All counterfeits were withdrawn from circulation.

Their clients in the illegal migration scam were mostly residents of countries with a high terrorist risk. Criminals provided them with forged documents of EU and Ukrainian citizens, including foreign and domestic passports, driver’s licenses, etc.

The investigation documented one of the participants in 8 episodes of criminal activity related to migrant smuggling.

During the searches, the SSU seized:

• forged Interpol IDs
• laptop, flash drives, mobile phones
• bank cards and foreign currency
• invitations for foreigners
• ammunition for firearms and RGD-5 grenade

The perpetrators have been detained. They will be served a notice of suspicion of sale of counterfeit money, unlawful handling of weapons, illegal movement of persons across the state border, forgery of documents and bribery.

The operation was carried out by the SSU National Statehood Department jointly with the National Police under the supervision of Kyiv City Prosecutor’s Office.