In Transcarpathia, employees of the State Bureau of Investigations, together with the Security Service of Ukraine and the internal security of the border service, uncovered the head of a group from one of the units who organized the illegal transportation of conscript-aged men across the border to the European Union. According to the investigation, he offered his services for a fee, which he received through cryptocurrencies to conceal the traces of the transactions.
This is reported by Business • Media
Transportation Scheme and Transaction Anonymity
The cost of one route was 2000 US dollars. The serviceman used official information to organize illegal border crossings with Romania. For communication with clients, he chose the Telegram messenger, where messages automatically disappeared. He demanded payment exclusively in cryptocurrency, avoiding bank transfers.
After receiving the funds, the individual transferred the crypto assets to another wallet through a well-known cryptocurrency exchange service to make the financial transaction as anonymous as possible. He then sent a file with detailed instructions, routes, and coordinates, as well as advice on how to avoid border control.
He also warned that “the walking route may take from five to six days” and advised against crossing the border alone.
Legal Qualification and Further Actions of the Investigation
The serviceman has been notified of suspicion under Part 3 of Article 332 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (organization of illegal transportation of persons across the state border by an official for selfish motives) and Part 1 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (receiving illegal benefits). The accused faces up to nine years of imprisonment. Investigators have already submitted a motion for the selection of a preventive measure in the form of detention. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement is identifying other possible accomplices in this scheme. The process is overseen by the Specialized Prosecutor’s Office in the field of defense of the Western region.
Recall that in March 2024, the police also uncovered a channel for transporting conscripted individuals to Moldova in the Odesa region, where payment was made in cryptocurrency. At that time, the cost of the service was 5300 dollars per person, and the group members were detained 500 meters from the state border.