Criminals caught in Ukraine may have sold donated cars from Estonia

TALLINN - The Ukrainian Bureau of Economic Security has caught a group of criminals who, under the guise of humanitarian aid, illegally brought over 100 cars into the country and sold them, with some of the vehicles possibly originating from Estonia, Postimees reports.

During their investigation, the Bureau of Economic Security identified that a group of individuals established a charity foundation in Ukraine, which imported a total of 130 vehicles of various makes under the pretext of aid for the Ukrainian armed forces since February of this year.

Some of the imported vehicles were sold through websites dedicated to used cars. By their actions, the suspects avoided paying approximately eight million hryvnias, or nearly 180,000 euros, in taxes and customs fees to the Ukrainian state.

During the pre-trial investigation, Bureau of Economic Security officers in the Lviv region conducted two controlled car purchases with the help of a whistleblower. Subsequently, law enforcement officials searched the suspects' residences, confiscating documents, vehicles, cash, and computer equipment.

The pre-trial investigation and efforts to identify all individuals involved in the illegal activities are ongoing, according to the bureau. The agency is being assisted by the Ukrainian Security Service's military counterintelligence department and the border guard service.

A few days earlier, the Bureau of Economic Security reported the capture of another group of criminals who operated a similar scheme. This group managed to smuggle 500 cars into Ukraine this year. Vehicles that could not be sold were dismantled and sold for parts.

In the course of over fifty searches at suspects' residences, officials seized, among other items, thirty vehicles. The Lviv regional prosecutor’s office is conducting a criminal investigation into this case as well.

The estimated tax loss to Ukraine due to the illegal trade in this case is about 337,000 euros.