The SBU suppressed activity of a criminal group involved in money laundering, including cryptocurrency transactions. Allegedly, the offenders carried out UAH 240 m (USD 8,6 m) financial transactions, in particular laundered UAH 65 m (USD 2,3 m). The SBU verifies potential support of the DNR / LNR terrorist groups by the said offenders.

SBU officers established that the organizers created a number of online resources (websites, telegram channels) used to convert cryptocurrency into cash in particularly large amounts. Moreover, their clients included not only citizens of Ukraine, but also citizens from former CIS countries, in particular Russia, as well as LNR / DNR residents.

Large conversion transactions were carried out in violation of legal procedures, in particular without tax reporting, customer identification and mandatory payments to the state budget. Banned Russian electronic payment systems were used for money transfer.

The SBU documented over UAH 240 m (USD 8,6 m) financial transactions. According to preliminary findings of experts, more than UAH 65 m (USD 2,3 m) were laundered. The offenders purchased real estate, land and precious metals for that purpose.

During searches in the cities of Kyiv and Kharkiv, law enforcement officers seized:

• over UAH 43 m (USD 1,5 m);
• more than 800 kilo silver bars;
• computer equipment, flash drives, mobile phones;
• documents confirming the transactions.

At the same time, the State Financial Monitoring Service (SFMS) suspended offenders’ bank expenditure transactions.

The investigation into fraud and money laundering 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 National Police investigators under the supervision of the Darnytsia District Prosecutor's Office and in cooperation with the SFMS.