Over 100,000 tonnes of grain worth 776 million UAH seized: NABU and SAPO expose criminal group. VIDEO&PHOTOS

A large-scale corruption scheme involving the misappropriation of grain belonging to the State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine (SFGCU) has been uncovered. The organised criminal group included former senior officials of the state corporation and representatives of a foreign company.

This was reported by the NABU press service, as reported by Censor.NET.

Details of the scheme

"The investigation established that in 2021, the management of the State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine concluded four foreign trade contracts with a non-resident company for the supply of feed maize.

Contrary to the terms of the contracts, which stipulated 100% payment for the goods prior to the transfer of ownership, the original bills of lading (a sea waybill and, at the same time, a document of title, without the presentation of which it is impossible to collect the cargo at the port of arrival) for the cargo ended up with the purchasing company. This allowed the ships to be unloaded without hindrance and the grain, which had not been paid for, to be disposed of," the Bureau said.

To conceal this fact and create a false impression of control over the property, the State Food and Grain Corporation of Ukraine (SFGCU) retained copies of bills of lading bearing forged signatures and seals.

As a result, the state corporation lost almost 106,000 tonnes of grain worth 766 million hryvnias.

"The organisers of the scheme laundered the proceeds from the sale of the stolen grain by constantly moving funds between banks to mix them with legitimate income, as well as through the purchase of raw materials and assets for affiliated companies," the NABU added.