Over UAH 5 Million in unpaid taxes: ESBU in Bukovyna exposes carrier using «shadow» revenue from Italy routes

 Detectives of the Territorial Office of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine in the Chernivtsi region have uncovered a tax evasion scheme orchestrated by a Ternopil resident involved in international passenger transportation.

The investigation established that the entrepreneur organized regular bus routes between Ukraine and Italy, charging passengers between EUR 100 and EUR 120 per trip. However, these earnings were never recorded in the company's financial statements. By using "shadow" transactions and concealing actual income, the organizer intentionally evaded taxes totaling more than UAH 5 million.

Detectives conducted authorized searches of office spaces and the residences of the suspect and his associates. During the investigative actions, they seized handwritten notes and unofficial documentation confirming "double-entry" bookkeeping, as well as mobile phones, computer equipment, and data storage devices.

A forensic economic expert analysis has been ordered to determine the final amount of financial damage caused to the state.

The pretrial investigation is ongoing under Part 2 of Art. 212 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (intentional evasion of taxes and fees).

Operational support is provided by officers of the SSU in the Ternopil region. Procedural guidance is carried out by the Chernivtsi Regional Prosecutor's Office.