Foreigner to be tried in Ukraine for selling counterfeit dollars in Crimea

A foreigner who sold counterfeit dollars through occupied Crimea will be tried in Ukraine. He could face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property.

This was reported by the press service of the Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol.

The Prosecutor's Office of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea has submitted to the court an indictment against a citizen of Azerbaijan suspected of selling a large batch of counterfeit dollars. The investigation established that the man acted as a member of an organized group that smuggled counterfeit currency through the temporarily occupied Crimea to the territory controlled by Ukraine.

The currency was manufactured in Turkey and delivered in various ways - through mail and personal meetings with customers.

According to the investigation, customers received counterfeit bills for 50-60% of the face value. During June and July 2021, the accused sold counterfeit banknotes worth more than USD 20 thousand.

To avoid responsibility, the man left Ukraine and hid in Moldova. He was detained there at the request of the Ukrainian prosecutor's office and handed over to Ukrainian law enforcement in September 2025.

He is currently in custody and awaiting sentencing. He faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property under the articles he is charged with.

In June, two foreigners suspected of organizing a channel for selling counterfeit dollars through occupied Crimea were extradited to Ukraine. Both were detained, and a pre-trial investigation into their involvement in an international currency counterfeiting scheme is underway.

In August 2021, they were exposed during another attempt to sell counterfeit banknotes and were notified of suspicion under Article 199 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - for the manufacture, storage, purchase, transportation or importation of counterfeit money into Ukraine for sale.

To avoid responsibility, the men left the country and were put on the international wanted list. After their extradition was approved, they were returned to Ukraine and handed over to law enforcement. Their cases are also pending in court.

Анна Бальчінос