The investigation suspects that three individuals may have created dozens of fake accounts on several popular social media platforms, using photographs of documents belonging to Ukrainian servicemen found in open sources, and published posts soliciting donations supposedly for their needs.
In reality, the military did not receive any of the funds. According to law enforcement, the alleged fraudsters may have collected over 2.5 million UAH.
"Cyberpolice and investigators traced the entire chain of financial transactions – from the moment of misappropriation to legalization. They also identified the individuals who registered the fake accounts of servicemen on social media and posted the fundraising announcements, as well as their locations," the report states.
Law enforcement reported conducting 11 searches at the residences and registered addresses of the suspects in the Cherkasy and Kyiv regions, seizing mobile phones, bank cards, computer equipment, and other tangible evidence.
All three suspects have been informed of charges related to fraud and money laundering of proceeds obtained by criminal means (Part 4 of Article 190 and Part 2 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). The detainees could face up to eight years in prison.