Law enforcement officers have detained an organized criminal group that operated in the Ivano-Frankivsk region and other areas of Ukraine. The group was led by a so-called “watchman” for the city of Kolomyia, and one of their victims was a family of entrepreneurs engaged in the cryptocurrency business. The criminals demanded $800,000 from this family, justifying it with fabricated debts.
This is reported by Finway
Details of the Criminal Group’s Activities
According to investigators, the group consisted of 12 individuals, including criminal authorities and “watchmen” for various cities, districts, and even correctional facilities. All participants had previous convictions for serious crimes. The criminals used blackmail, threats, and psychological pressure to extort significant sums of money from local residents. The amount of the so-called “debts” was determined by the victim’s financial situation and ranged from $8,000 to $800,000. The maximum amount was what the criminals attempted to obtain from the family of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs.
Searches and Accountability
Police, together with the Security Service of Ukraine, conducted searches in nine regions of Ukraine. During the investigative actions, weapons, vehicles, cash, and accounting records were seized. All 12 individuals have been charged under part 4 of Article 189 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which provides for a penalty of up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property. Currently, all suspects are in custody.
“The amount of the ‘debts’ depended on the victim’s financial situation and ranged from $8,000 to $800,000, with the largest sum demanded from the family of cryptocurrency entrepreneurs.”
Previously, cases of large-scale fraudulent schemes related to cryptocurrencies had already been recorded in Ukraine.