National Police investigators report on suspicion of non-resident company owner in fraudulent seizure of 3 million euros of Latvian bank
The defendant developed a criminal scheme to obtain a loan from a foreign credit and financial institution under the guise of purchasing sunflower oil in Ukraine. He faces up to 12 years in prison.
The illegal activities of the ultimate beneficial owner of the non-resident company were exposed by the investigators of the Corruption Investigation Department of the Main Investigation Department and the operatives of the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police. During the pre-trial investigation, law enforcement officers established that the defendant developed a criminal scheme to seize the funds of one of the banks of the Republic of Latvia under the guise of obtaining a loan for the purchase of sunflower oil in Ukraine. He involved a number of representatives of Ukrainian societies in criminal activities.
In April 2021, the defendant provided the representatives of the Latvian bank with knowingly false documents about the actual supplier of sunflower oil to his company. This became the basis for obtaining credit funds from a foreign bank. As a result, 3 million euros were immediately transferred to the accounts of complicit companies. In addition, it became a legal obstacle for the bank in collecting the subject of collateral — 3,5 thousand tons of sunflower oil under the loan agreement.
Investigators of the National Police under the procedural guidance of prosecutors of the Office of the Prosecutor General, in order to protect the rights of the victim — a foreign investor, filed a petition to the court for the arrest of 3,5 thousand tons of sunflower oil and their transfer to the Agency for Search and Asset Management (ARMA). Subsequently, the court granted both requests.
On November 17, sunflower oil was sold on electronic auctions at a record price of more than 93 million UAH. These funds will allow in the future to fully compensate the damage to the affected party.
On November 24, investigators reported on suspicion of the non-resident company owner of committing a criminal offense provided for in Part 2 of Art. 28 (Committing a crime by a group of persons, a group of persons by prior conspiracy, organized group or criminal organization), part 4 of Art. 190 (Fraud) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
Currently, the question of choosing a preventive measure for the suspect in the form of detention is being resolved. For the committed offense, punishment is provided in the form of imprisonment for a period of five to twelve years with the confiscation of property.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing. Investigators of the Main Investigative Department and operatives of the Department of Strategic Investigations of the National Police of Ukraine carry out further procedural and operational and investigative measures to identify all persons accused of illegal activities.
Procedural guidance in criminal proceedings is carried out by prosecutors of the Office of the Prosecutor General.
Department of Communications of the National Police of Ukraine
