In the Lviv region, law enforcement uncovered an organised group that was appropriating drones listed for sale on a popular marketplace. The Department of Cyberpolice of the National Police of Ukraine reports this.
According to the investigation, the perpetrators found listings for drones and communicated with sellers, posing as buyers. They persuaded sellers to post the items, assuring them that payment would be made at the post office after the parcel was inspected.
In fact, the suspects had no intention of paying: using forged documents, they collected parcels at post offices without the owners’ knowledge. The victims’ losses amount to at least 380,000 UAH.
Cyberpolice identified five members of the group aged between 26 and 59 — an organiser, a co-organiser, two perpetrators and an accomplice. Four suspects were detained and 16 searches were carried out in Zhytomyr and Lviv regions, including at the penitentiary where the organiser is held.
During the searches, officers seized 33 mobile phones, dozens of bank cards and SIM cards, computer equipment, documentation and more than 12,000 USD, along with other items of evidence. Analysis of the seized data suggests the perpetrators’ “earnings” may exceed 1.4 million UAH.
Investigators have notified five participants of suspicion under Part 5 of Article 190 (Fraud) of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (CCU). Four accomplices of the organiser have been placed in custody; the suspects face up to 12 years’ imprisonment. Additional legal qualifications are possible.
