Fraud Scheme Targeting Military: Perpetrator Arrested

The perpetrator was apprehended immediately after trying to defraud a military conscript. He manipulated his victim to achieve his objectives. Now, his fate will be decided by the court.

Officers from the Odessa Department of Internal Security of the National Police, in collaboration with investigators from the Main Directorate of the National Police in the Odessa region, uncovered a 33-year-old resident of Odessa involved in illegal schemes. This was not his first offense.

Despite having a criminal record for fraud and current charges of abuse of power, the perpetrator chose to continue his illegal activities. He offered a man with documents confirming his exemption until February 2026 the chance to be removed from military registration due to health issues for a fee of $15,000.

To appear convincing, he posed as a lawyer and claimed to have connections with officials from the local Territorial Recruitment Center, with whom he supposedly intended to negotiate.

To ensure the man did not refuse his proposal, the fraudster resorted to intimidation, threatening to cancel the exemption and report him as wanted. At the same time, he insisted that the chance to finalize the documents would only occur now, as the next opportunity wouldn't arise for at least six months.

Immediately after receiving the money, officers from the Internal Security Department and investigators from the Odessa police arrested the fraudster under Article 208 of the Criminal Procedure Code of Ukraine. He has already been charged under Part 3 of Article 369-2 (Abuse of Influence) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, which carries a penalty of up to 8 years in prison.

The Odessa regional prosecutor's office is overseeing the proceedings.

Source: https://od.npu.gov.ua/news/za-15-000-dolariv-obitsiav-zvilnyty-vid-viiskovoi-sluzhby-v-odesi-natspolitsiia-zatrymaly-psevdoadvokata