20 September 2026

A money-laundering scheme worth billions was uncovered in Odessa

(PHOTO: ukrinform.ua)

In Odesa, Kyiv, and Kharkiv, detectives from the Economic Security Bureau uncovered a large-scale network of money-laundering centers. Fifty searches were conducted in these cities. 

This was reported by the Economic Security Bureau. 

Millions of hryvnias in cash were seized from the suspects.

According to the investigation, the total amount of funds processed through the uncovered money-laundering centers since 2023 amounted to 23.5 billion hryvnias. The monthly turnover was nearly 500 million hryvnias.

Law enforcement officials noted that due to this aspect of the financial scheme, the state lost approximately three billion hryvnias in tax revenue.

A money-laundering center is an illegal business that helps companies hide profits and convert non-cash funds into cash. The organizers set up shell companies and create forged documents regarding the sale of nonexistent goods. The main goal of such a scheme is to pay less in taxes to the state and launder illegal income.

As Intent previously reported, BEB detectives uncovered a large-scale operation in Mykolaiv producing counterfeit clothing and footwear from well-known global brands. The value of the seized products and equipment exceeds 50 million hryvnias.

The counterfeit clothing manufactured in Mykolaiv was sold throughout Ukraine. In particular, it was also supplied to the“7th Kilometer” market in the Odesa region.

Юлія Калабайда

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