Based on ESBU materials, members of an organized crime group who planned to sell over $100,000 in counterfeit U.S. will stand trial in the Lviv region

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in the Lviv region have submitted an indictment to the court against members of an organized crime group (OCG) involved in the distribution of counterfeit foreign currency.

The investigation established that the organizers of the illegal activity were two residents of the region, aged 24 and 29. The group consisted of five core members, with an additional four individuals involved periodically.

The suspects purchased counterfeit 2006-series $100 bills and subsequently exchanged them for Ukrainian Hryvnia at currency exchange offices.

The younger of the organizers coordinated the participants' actions, stored the counterfeit currency, provided briefings, determined distribution locations, and issued the currency for exchange after personally verifying whether the exchange offices would accept the fake notes. He also distributed the proceeds among all group members.

Additionally, the defendants purchased used electronics, paying for them with counterfeit bills.

Detectives documented 11 episodes of criminal activity. In total, the group members distributed $29,300 in counterfeit dollars.

ESBU officers conducted 14 searches, seizing vehicles, mobile phones, computer equipment, flash drives, and other items.

Detectives of the ESBU Territorial Office in the Lviv region served notices of suspicion to 9 individuals for crimes committed under Part 2 of Art. 199, Part 2 of Art. 15, Part 2 of Art. 199, Part 2 of Art. 15, Part 3 of Art. 199, and Part 3 of Art. 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The suspects were detained and preventive measures were selected. The pre-trial investigation is now complete, and the indictment has been sent to court.

Operational support was provided by officers of the Strategic Investigations Department in the Lviv region of the National Police of Ukraine. Procedural oversight was conducted by prosecutors of the Lviv Regional Prosecutor's Office.