EUR 350 per document: ESBU materials lead to trial of dealers producing counterfeit driver’s licenses

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have completed a pre-trial investigation into the production and sale of counterfeit driver's licenses featuring holographic security elements.

It was established that two unrelated groups of individuals illegally acquired, stored, and sold holographic security elements, which were used to manufacture forged official documents.

The suspects accepted orders for fake documents via social media, obtaining client photographs, necessary information, and payment before transferring the data for production. The finished documents were delivered to customers in person or sent by mail.

The «assortment» of forgeries included driver's licenses, vehicle registration certificates, and qualification cards for heavy-duty vehicle drivers, including international-standard versions.

The cost of a single counterfeit document ranged from EUR 100 to EUR 350, depending on its complexity and quality.

During the searches, detectives seized forged documents, blank forms, holographic elements, computer equipment, and cash.

According to forensic expert conclusions, the seized driver's license blanks do not match the specimens in official circulation.

All three suspects have been notified of suspicion under Part 2 of Article 199 and Part 3 of Article 358 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (for the sale of illegally obtained holographic security elements, as well as the forgery and sale of official documents).

The sanctions of these articles provide for a penalty of imprisonment for a term of up to 10 years.

The indictments have been sent to the court.

Operational support was provided by the Chernivtsi Department of the Internal Security Department of the National Police of Ukraine. Procedural oversight was conducted by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.

Note: According to Article 62 of the Constitution of Ukraine, a person is presumed innocent of committing a crime and cannot be subjected to criminal punishment until their guilt is proven in accordance with the law and established by a court's verdict of conviction.