In Lviv region, the SSU uncovered and blocked an unlawful mechanism for illegal sale of protective clothing, which was imported as humanitarian aid. The fraudsters imported bulletproof vests supposedly for the needs of the Army, but later sold them for their own enrichment.

The scheme was organized by several individuals, who misled the officials of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to obtain permits for unimpeded transportation of ballistic vests across the border.

Subsequently, having received letters of guarantee from the military unit, the group imported bulletproof vests worth over UAH 5 mln (USD 170,000). Further, they sold the goods intended for Ukrainian military to customers via the Internet, while Ukrainian defenders received just a few vests.

The law enforcement detained one of the participants ‘red-handed’ during the sale of a batch of vests worth over UAH 500,000 (USD 17,000).

During the authorized investigative actions, the investigators found documents that confirm the described unlawful activity.

Currently, one of the participants in the scheme has been notified of suspicion of committing a crime under Article 201-2.3 (illegal use of humanitarian aid for receiving profit) of the CCU. The court has chosen a measure of restraint.

The investigation is underway to identify and prosecute all those involved in the scheme.

The SSU is preparing documents to transfer the entire seized consignment of protective equipment to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The operation was carried out by the SSU together with National Police investigators under the procedural supervision of the Specialized Military Prosecutor’s Office of the Western region.