ESBU uncovers a UAH 380 million tax evasion scheme in the fuel sector

 Detectives of the Main Unit of Detectives of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine have exposed a large-scale tax evasion scheme in the trade of fuel and other petroleum products.

The investigation established that throughout 2024, the scheme's participants used shell companies to issue forged documents for the sale of diesel fuel, methanol, and other excisable goods. The actual turnover of goods was conducted outside of fiscal control and was not reflected in tax reporting.

At the same time, real-sector enterprises entered false data into their reports regarding alleged fuel purchases. This allowed them to artificially inflate tax credits and reduce the amount of VAT payable to the budget.

As a result, the tax base was unreasonably understated by almost UAH 1.92 billion. The total damage to the state from non-payment of VAT for 2024–2025 exceeded UAH 380 million.

Currently, one indictment has already been sent to court under Part 3 of Article 212 and Part 1 of Article 366 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (entering deliberately false information into official documents and deliberate tax evasion on an especially large scale).

The pre-trial investigation is ongoing regarding other participants in the scheme, and notices of suspicion are being prepared for delivery.

Procedural guidance is provided by the Office of the Prosecutor General.