Another scheme for extorting funds from close relatives of Ukrainian prisoners of war has been eliminated in Kyiv. The Security Service of Ukraine caught two dealers in hot hands who demanded $60,000. from relatives of two captured Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers.
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The defendants promised to transfer money to members of the Russian occupation groups to include prisoners of war on the “exchange lists.”
According to available data, the attackers had connections among the militants and remotely received information from them about Ukrainian prisoners. At the same time, the participants in the “scheme” did not intend to return the Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers home.
To be convincing, when communicating with relatives of captured Ukrainian fighters, the businessmen posed as law enforcement officers. The security service gradually documented the criminal actions of the defendants and detained them during the transfer of the last tranche.
During searches in the homes of the detainees, fake law enforcement IDs, a business card of a representative of a Russian “non-governmental” organization, “prices” for confidential information about Ukrainian citizens and other material evidence were seized.
SBU investigators informed both defendants of suspicion under Part 1 of Art. 111-2 (aiding the aggressor state) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing. The perpetrators face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
Source: Racurs
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.