Large-scale production of forged documents uncovered in Ukraine

According to Ukrinform, the information was released by the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine.

Investigators established that members of an organized criminal group had set up the production of counterfeit Ukrainian passports for foreign nationals. These documents were subsequently used to facilitate illegal residence and unrestricted movement across European Union countries, as well as unlawful entry into Canada.

“In effect, the suspects were supporting international channels of illegal migration and the legalization of foreign nationals abroad,” the BEB said.

The group also organized the large-scale production of other forged documents, including university diplomas, driver's licenses, birth and marriage certificates, property and land ownership documents, and various other official forms.

According to law enforcement officials, the underground operation functioned as a full-scale criminal enterprise with an international reach and multimillion-dollar illicit turnover.

As part of a special operation, approximately 30 searches were carried out in Kyiv, the Kyiv region, and western regions of Ukraine. BEB detectives uncovered an extensive infrastructure for the illegal production of documents that served criminal activities both within Ukraine and abroad.

“During the searches, investigators seized high-tech equipment used to manufacture forged documents, metal printing plates, blank passport forms, counterfeit seals and stamps of government institutions, informal accounting records, foreign currency cash, vehicles, and weapons,” the statement said.

Currently, 15 individuals have been formally notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which concerns the manufacture and distribution of counterfeit official documents and securities.

Six suspects have been placed under preventive measures, including pre-trial detention with the possibility of bail and round-the-clock house arrest.

Urgent investigative and procedural actions are ongoing to identify all individuals involved, document every episode of the criminal activity, uncover the group's international connections, and trace the sources of funding for the illegal scheme.

As previously reported, authorities in the Ivano-Frankivsk region uncovered a large-scale scheme for producing fraudulent documents intended to help individuals evade military mobilization.

Photo: Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine