The National Police of Ukraine exposed a large-scale scheme to embezzle more than 90 million hryvnias from depositors of a bankrupt bank. The organizer of the crime, who bought a financial institution, involved the management of the bank, private entrepreneurs, appraisers and state registrars.
The criminal organization, which included 27 people, developed a mechanism for registering non-existent real estate in the central districts of Kyiv and Kharkiv. This "real estate" was used as collateral for obtaining loans from the bank. In total, it was possible to obtain more than 90 million hryvnias in this way.
The perpetrators used the funds received to finance personal business projects, including the construction of factories, thermal power plants, and the purchase of luxury real estate and cars.
In turn, the bank's employees falsified the acts of inspection of the mortgaged property, which made it possible to maintain the appearance of normal operation of the institution. Due to fraudulent actions, the bank became insolvent in 2021, failing to fulfill its obligations to customers.
In January 2025, National Police investigators reported suspicions to the bank's management, including the owner, of creating and leading a criminal organization, misappropriation of property, official forgery, and money laundering.
Previously, seven participants in the scheme were charged with misappropriation of property and abuse of office. The police also seized the real estate and vehicles of the participants in Kyiv to ensure compensation for damages.
According to the current legislation, for such crimes, suspects face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.
"The police continue to establish additional circumstances and do everything possible to ensure that all those involved receive a fair punishment," the National Police said in a statement.
