Top cases
May
Dangerous rations for the AFU: ESBU exposes an embezzlement scheme of over UAH 71 million in supplying low-quality food for the military
Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine have exposed a scheme involving the supply of over 180,000 field ration kits to military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a portion of which was unfit for consumption and non-compliant with safety regulations. To facilitate the supplies, the perpetrators entered inaccurate data into official documentation. The total material damage inflicted upon the state, as represented by the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, exceeds UAH 71 million.
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In the Vinnytsia region, ESBU detectives have exposed a jewelry enterprise for evading over UAH 11 million in taxes
During 2023–2024, the jewelry manufacturing enterprise continued to operate under the simplified taxation system after exceeding the permitted income limit. As a result, more than UAH 11 million in taxes failed to be remitted to the state budget. During the pre-trial investigation, the damages inflicted upon the state were compensated in full.
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A "fishy" scheme worth UAH 15 million: ESBU detectives ensure full compensation of damages
In the Poltava region, an enterprise engaged in the sale of fish products evaded over UAH 15 million in taxes. During the pre-trial investigation, the damages inflicted upon the state were compensated in full.
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Fictitious expenses worth UAH 26.6 million: ESBU exposes a tax scheme in the perfume business in Odesa
Officials of a company engaged in the wholesale of perfume and cosmetic products artificially inflated the enterprise's expenses by UAH 26.6 million. This allowed them to understate corporate income tax and evade the payment of nearly UAH 4.9 million to the budget. During the pre-trial investigation, the damages inflicted upon the state were compensated in full.
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Over UAH 63 million saved for a Lviv region community: ESBU analysts prevent embezzlement
ESBU analysts identified risks of inefficient use of budget funds during the implementation of an infrastructure project worth over UAH 72 million in one of the communities of the Lviv region. During the analysis of the procurement for construction works of sewage networks and treatment facilities, risks of inflated prices for materials, equipment, and work execution were established. Following ESBU's recommendations, the customer terminated the contract with the contractor, preventing the embezzlement of UAH 63.2 million from the local budget.
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Second-hand retail chain "split" among 530 Sole Proprietors: ESBU exposes a scheme to evade over UAH 38 million in taxes
ESBU detectives have exposed a large-scale business-splitting scheme in the second-hand retail sector. To minimize tax liabilities, the operations of the retail chain were registered under more than 530 controlled Sole Proprietors operating under the simplified taxation system. According to the investigation, financial transactions exceeding UAH 231 million were conducted through the involved entrepreneurs, while estimated budget losses from unpaid VAT amount to more than UAH 38.6 million.
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Sold UAH 90 million worth of goods and "forgot" about VAT: ESBU exposes a tax evasion scheme
An enterprise importing household electrical goods failed to reflect the actual volume of product sales, worth over UAH 90 million, in its tax reporting. As a result, more than UAH 15 million in value-added tax was not paid to the state budget. During the pre-trial investigation, the damages inflicted upon the state were compensated in full.
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Over 46,000 counterfeit items worth UAH 12.3 million: ESBU exposes a large-scale sales channel for e-cigarettes and POD systems in the capital
ESBU detectives have exposed a group of individuals who set up the illegal storage and sale of counterfeit e-cigarettes, nicotine-containing liquids, and POD systems. During the investigative actions, the operations of 27 illegal points of sale were disrupted, and over 46,000 units of excisable products with an estimated value of UAH 12.3 million were seized.
Read more at the link.
APRIL
Illegal online casinos and laundering of over UAH 5 billion
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed an organized group that operated a network of illegal online casinos and laundered income through cryptocurrency and foreign companies. Ten members of the scheme have been notified of suspicion.
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"Conversion Center" with a turnover of up to UAH 18 billion
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine liquidated a large-scale tax evasion scheme involving about 500 companies and individual entrepreneurs. More than 200 enterprises across Ukraine used the services of the "conversion center."
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Misappropriation of UAH 295 million during procurement for "Ukrgasvydobuvannya"
Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed a scheme of artificially inflating product costs during public procurement. The losses to the state enterprise amount to UAH 295 million.
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Large-scale network selling illegal vape products
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine conducted over 70 searches in a chain of vape shops and seized property worth UAH 30 million. Budget losses from excise tax evasion of about UAH 20 million were also prevented.
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Smuggling of food additives disguised as humanitarian aid
In Volyn, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed a scheme involving the import of over 16 tons of food additives disguised as a humanitarian cargo. The value of the seized products is about UAH 58 million.
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The largest retail chain in the Poltava region "split its business" through 3.5 thousand individual entrepreneurs.
A chain of over 400 stores across seven regions of Ukraine used thousands of individual entrepreneurs to minimize tax liabilities. The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine conducted large-scale searches and seized evidence of illegal activity.
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UAH 53 million in unpaid taxes in the construction sector
The director of an investment fund was notified of suspicion for evading taxes through fictitious financial operations and hiding income from real estate sales. The losses to the state exceed UAH 53 million.
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MARCH
Underground tobacco factory with a monthly income of over 1 billion UAH
720 thousand packs of cigarettes daily, 40 participants in the scheme, and industrial production of counterfeit goods disguised as international brands. The ESBU has liquidated the largest underground cigarette factory since the Bureau began its operations.
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"Call centers" with dummy prizes and fraud
In Kyiv and Chernihiv, 6 "call centers" operated, through which citizens were defrauded under the guise of winnings and promotions. Assets worth tens of millions of UAH have been seized, and the case of 12 participants has been sent to court.
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Business splitting scheme by a supermarket chain
Through the artificial division of business among individual entrepreneurs, a retail chain evaded the payment of over 23.7 million UAH in taxes. Thanks to the measures taken by the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, the funds have been fully reimbursed to the budget.
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Conversion center for selling fuel coupons
Through the shadow sale of fuel and dummy documents, the participants in the scheme evaded the payment of 34.7 million UAH in taxes. The volume of illegal operations exceeded 218 million UAH.
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Embezzlement of nearly 68 million UAH at a regional power enterprise
The ESBU and the Security Service of Ukraine exposed a scheme to misappropriate funds from a power enterprise, organized by a sanctioned businessman. Four individuals have been notified of suspicion.
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Distribution channel for counterfeit cigarettes worth over 30 million UAH
In Bukovyna, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine shut down a large-scale distribution channel for counterfeit tobacco products. More than 212 thousand packs of cigarettes and goods worth over 30 million UAH were seized.
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FEBRUARY
Embezzlement of over 20 million UAH on procurement for traffic lights in Odesa
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed a scheme involving the misappropriation of budget funds during the procurement of uninterruptible power supplies for traffic lights. Seven individuals, including officials of a communal enterprise and the organizer of the scheme, have been notified of suspicion.
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Illegal tobacco business worth over 30 million UAH
In Bukovyna, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed the underground production and sale of fermented tobacco. Over 25 tons of raw materials, equipment, and property with a total value of over 30 million UAH were seized. The case has been sent to the court.
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An agricultural supplier has reimbursed nearly 19.3 million UAH in taxes
An enterprise that exported soybeans to Turkey, Romania, and the UAE concealed a part of its income and evaded the payment of taxes. Following the intervention of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine, 19.3 million UAH was reimbursed to the budget.
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Illegal "online poker" and the legalization of 12.3 million UAH
In Odesa, two brothers will stand trial for organizing illegal online gambling games through a mobile application. The monthly turnover of the service exceeded half a million hryvnias.
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JANUARY
Attempted raid seizure of business worth 40 million UAH
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed an organized group that illegally reregistered a share of one of the company's founders using forged documents. The damages amount to nearly 40 million UAH, and the case has been sent to court.
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Counterfeit cigarettes worth over 15 million UAH
In Kyiv and the region, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine shut down the activities of a group engaged in the sale of tobacco products without excise stamps. During the searches, nearly 250 thousand packs of cigarettes and tobacco with a total value of over 15 million UAH were seized.
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Attempted smuggling of electronics worth 35 million UAH
In the Lviv region, the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed a channel for the illegal importation of electronic equipment of a well-known brand. In a specially equipped hiding place, 829 units of equipment worth over 35 million UAH were seized.
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Tax evasion of 25 million UAH in the food retail sector
A retail chain used a "business splitting" scheme through dozens of FOPs to minimize taxes. More than 25 million UAH in unpaid taxes has been reimbursed to the budget.
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Sanction evasion and product supply scheme to the russian federation liquidated
The Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine exposed an enterprise that illegally supplied Ukrainian electrical devices to a russian manufacturer through a network of intermediaries. The total value of the supplied products is approximately 9 million UAH.
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