ESBU detectives in Kyiv have shut down a counterfeit US dollar distribution operation

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in Kyiv have exposed a group of individuals involved in the distribution of counterfeit US dollars. The suspects attempted to sell fake USD 100 banknotes totaling USD 100,000.

According to the investigation, the distribution of the forged foreign currency was organized by two residents of Kyiv and the Kyiv region. They were selling the USD 100 bills at half their face value—for USD 50 each. One of the group members was detained during an attempt to sell USD 100,000 in counterfeit bills. The operation was carried out by detectives of the Territorial Office of the ESBU in Kyiv, in cooperation with operatives from the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine.

A forensic examination revealed that the banknotes are counterfeit: they do not match the authentic currency of the issuing country in terms of printing methods or security features. At the same time, the banknotes appeared genuine. They were impossible to distinguish from the originals during a routine visual inspection or when checked with a standard detector.

The suspects have been notified of suspicion under Part 1 and Part 2 of Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (manufacture and sale of counterfeit money). The sanction of this article provides for up to 10 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.

Operational support was provided by the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine. Procedural guidance was carried out by the Kyiv City Prosecutor's Office.