The SSU jointly with the ESBU exposed a large-scale scheme of misappropriating industrial volumes of natural gas belonging to the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine LLC.

Management of a private company that sells natural gas is involved in organizing the fraud.

The offenders misappropriated gas from the state monopolist using forged documents.

As a result of operational and investigative activities, the law enforcement blocked the criminal scheme.

Based on the SSU’s investigation, the court seized almost 3.5 million cubic meters of natural gas, which the businessmen stole from the state.

The total value of the seized raw materials is estimated at almost UAH 100 mln (USD 2.5 mln).

According to the investigation, the criminals set up an illegal mechanism in order to steal natural gas and sell it to third parties.

For this purpose, they submitted to the GTS Operator forged bank guarantees of fulfilment of obligations totalling UAH 195 mln, which allowed them to pump natural gas into gas storage facilities without actually paying for it.

Criminal proceeding was opened under 191.5 of the CCU (misappropriation, embezzlement or seizure of property through abuse of office). The investigation is ongoing.

The SSU exposed the offence under the supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.