A scheme for importing cars under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine was exposed in the Lviv region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Lviv region exposed a group of individuals who were importing used cars into Ukraine under the guise of humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and then selling them through online platforms.

According to the investigation, the group involved in the smuggling of vehicles included the heads of several charitable foundations and organizations.

When crossing the border into Ukraine, the participants of the scheme declared the cars as humanitarian aid for the Armed Forces of Ukraine. To avoid paying customs duties, they submitted documents with false information to customs and received preferential import status.

In reality, the cars were intended for sale to third parties via specialized online classified platforms.

During a controlled purchase operation, detectives bought one such vehicle, which had been imported as 'humanitarian.' Payment was received by an individual who had no connection to any charitable activities.

As part of the criminal proceedings, searches were conducted at the suspects' places of residence, at a car dismantling site, and in the vehicles. Property worth over 4.3 million UAH was seized, including nearly 3 million UAH in cash, 4 cars, and counterfeit bills totaling 9,500 US dollars.

The pre-trial investigation under Part 1 of the Art. 201-4 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (smuggling of excisable goods) is being carried out by detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Lviv region.

Operational support was provided by employees of the 6th Volyn Border Detachment of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Strategic Investigation Department in the Volyn region. Procedural guidance is being provided by prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.