Cyber police of Khmelnytskyi region exposed representatives of online pharmacies for selling counterfeit and prohibited drugs
In illegal activities, those involved used about 10 web resources. Monthly turnover from sales amounted to 2 million hryvnias. The attackers face up to ten years in prison.
Cyberpolice were approached by a drug manufacturer about the sale on the Internet of counterfeit medicines under company logos. The participants in the offense were exposed by employees of the department of combating cybercrimes of Khmelnytskyi region together with investigators of the regional police.
The 37-year-old local resident created more than ten online pharmacies selling counterfeit medicines. Also, the man involved two operators who administered resources and accepted orders. To disguise illegal activity, goods were sent on behalf of third parties and from other cities. Monthly turnover from trade in medical products amounted to about 2 million hryvnias.
According to reports of the State Service of Ukraine for Medicines, some of the medicines sold in online pharmacies are prohibited for sale, storage and use in Ukraine. Also, law enforcement officers found that medicines were transported and stored without observing temperature and sanitary requirements.
Police officers conducted searches of the places of residence of the defendants, the place of storage of medicines, and in the premises of the hall center of online pharmacies. Searches took place in Khmelnytskyi and Volyn region. According to the results, more than a thousand packages of unregistered medical products in Ukraine were seized. Bank cards, computer equipment and mobile phones have also been seized.
Criminal proceedings under Part 1, Part 2 of Art. 321-1 (Counterfeiting of medicines or circulation of counterfeit medicines) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The sanction of the article provides for up to ten years imprisonment with confiscation of property. Investigative actions are currently ongoing.
Procedural management is carried out by the Khmelnytsky Regional Prosecutor's Office.
Cyber Police Department of the National Police of Ukraine
