The SSU Main Directorate for Internal Security has shut down a scheme for mass production and sale of documents that imitated the IDs of Ukrainian law enforcement agencies, including the SSU. The fake IDs were intended to be used for mobilisation evasion.

The organiser of the scheme was detained in Kyiv. He turned out to be a former serviceman of one of the agencies of the Security and Defence Forces.

As the investigation established, he involved 18 accomplices. Together, they built an organised hierarchical structure with a clear distribution of functions and responsibilities. The ring operated in rented offices throughout Ukraine, where its members installed equipment for serial production of documents.

The cost of such ‘services’ ranged from USD 3 to 5 thousand, depending on the urgency.

The fraudsters entered ‘customer’ data into blank forged certificates and inserted the photos copying the look of genuine IDs.

They sold the finished documents to men by mail or during personal meetings.

By purchasing such fakes, the conscripts hoped to use them to evade mobilisation.

Smartphones, computers, forged stamps and seals of state institutions, and combat weapons were seized during the searches of the suspects’ homes and offices. About 100 IDs of officers of the SSU or other paramilitary and law enforcement formations, as well as fictitious orders, certificates, and pro-russian propaganda leaflets were seized from the perpetrators.

The organiser of the scheme has been notified of suspicion under Article 114-1.1 of the CCU (obstruction of the lawful activities of the AFU, during a special period).

The suspect is in custody and faces up to 8 years in prison. The investigation is ongoing.

The operation was carried out under the procedural supervision of the Prosecutor General’s Office.