In Sumy Region, the SSU exposed a criminal group that extorted money from local officials and businessmen, posing as the SSU officers with close ties to the leadership of the Service. Using psychological pressure, they forced the victims to pay in order to evade prosecution for trumped-up offences.

According to the investigation, the suspects claimed to be supported by the SSU leadership and used fake IDs, operating for several months in the region.

The SSU documented the group extorting USD 12,500 from an official of a state enterprise for evading responsibility for an alleged offence.

The offenders were detained red-handed in Trostianets while receiving USD 5,000 from the victim.

The searches of the suspects’ homes and vehicles led to the seizure of:

• forged SSU ID’s;
• USD 5,000;
• bank cards;
• smartphones and SIM cards.

The investigation into extortion is ongoing to establish all individuals involved.

The SSU Office in Sumy region and the SSU Main Internal Security Directorate  carried out the operation together with the National Police under the supervision of Okhtyrka District Prosecutor’s Office.