Fake "major" demanded $100,000 to transfer soldiers to another unit, – Tsutskiridze. PHOTOS
Police officers have exposed a con artist who demanded $100,000 by claiming to have fictitious connections with high-ranking officials in law enforcement agencies. The suspect promised to arrange for a serviceman to be transferred to another unit and to draw up false documents declaring a conscript unfit for service.
To make his claims seem credible, he carried photographs of himself with Ukrainian and foreign politicians, as well as other prominent figures. During a search, a forged ID card bearing the rank of major was seized from him.
Maksym Tsutskiridze, Acting Head of the National Police of Ukraine, reported this in an exclusive comment to Censor.NET.
Details
The activities of the 32-year-old Kyiv resident had been under surveillance since August by operatives from the Kyiv City Directorate of the Department of Internal Security and investigators from the Holosiivskyi Police Directorate.
The Holosiivskyi District Prosecutor’s Office in Kyiv is overseeing the proceedings.
"He claimed that, thanks to his connections within state institutions, he could secure the necessary decisions. In particular, he referred to an alleged acquaintance with the Deputy Head of the National Police. These connections were fabricated," said Tsutskiridze.
According to the investigation, the suspect demanded 50,000 dollars in exchange for a promise to arrange the transfer of a serviceman from a combat unit to another unit not involved in combat operations.
A further 50,000 was demanded for drawing up medical documents containing false diagnoses, with a view to subsequently removing the conscript from the military register. He also promised this man that he would be removed from the wanted list and allowed to travel abroad without hindrance.
The man demanded that half of the agreed sum – $50,000 – be paid in advance.
Police officers arrested him following a controlled handover of the advance payment. A photograph of him in military uniform was found in a forged ID card from one of the law enforcement agencies that was seized.
The suspect has been charged under Part 3 of Article 369-2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine – abuse of influence combined with extortion of an unlawful benefit.
He faces up to eight years’ imprisonment with confiscation of property.
"At present, many people are talking about their connections within state bodies and offering to ‘sort things out’ for money. Our Department of Internal Security is investigating such reports and documenting unlawful actions. If you are aware of anyone demanding money by referring to connections within the police or promising to negotiate with its leadership, please contact
the Department of Internal Security," said Maksym Tsutskiridze
