Fraudsters in Lviv region embezzle UAH 5M using data of fallen soldiers
In Ukraine's western Lviv region, law enforcement authorities have sent to court a case against seven members of a criminal group who, using the personal data of fallen and missing servicemen, embezzled more than UAH 5.3 million in budget funds.
That is according to the Prosecutor General's Office, Ukrinform reports.
Investigators say the scheme was organized by an employee of the financial and economic unit of a special-purpose law enforcement agency. Having access to the accounting system, he accrued additional funds to the accounts of six accomplices: a department head, a commandant and his deputy, the head of another unit and his deputy, as well as a driver.
The organizer used the personal data of two servicemen. In payment documents, the funds were formally recorded as if they had been allocated to a fallen soldier and a serviceman listed as missing in action.
In reports on the use of payroll funds, the official indicated that the missing and fallen servicemen were allegedly still on active duty and therefore entitled to receive the payments. In reality, however, the payment orders sent to banks were issued not in the names of those servicemen but in the names of the organizer's accomplices.
As a result, state funds were siphoned out of official circulation and misappropriated by the participants in the scheme.
From November 2024 to April 2025, the suspects withdrew and distributed more than UAH 5.3 million in cash. The organizer kept UAH 3 million, while the remaining amount was divided among the other members of the group.
During the pre-trial investigation, the accused almost fully reimbursed the losses caused to the state.
Their actions were classified as misappropriation of property through abuse of office, committed by an organized group under martial law (Parts 3 and 5 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The charges carry a penalty of up to 12 years in prison, confiscation of property, and a three-year ban on holding certain positions.
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