Money laundering scheme through fictitious agricultural enterprises exposed in Odesa

In Odesa, a woman who registered companies with signs of transit firms will stand trial. According to the Bureau of Economic Security, these structures could be used to minimize taxes and cash out funds.

This was reported by the press service of the BES in Odesa region.

Detectives of the territorial department of the BES in Odesa region found that an Odesa resident submitted documents with knowingly false information to state registrars. Three companies were registered in her name in different regions of Ukraine. All of them formally operated in the agricultural sector - they were engaged in the wholesale trade of grain, seeds and animal feed.

However, as the investigation found out, the woman played only a nominal role. In fact, she did not manage the companies' activities and did not make any management decisions. All documents, financial statements, and transactions were executed by other persons who are also currently under investigation by law enforcement officers - separate criminal proceedings are underway against them.

According to Serhii Muntyan, the head of the BES in Odesa region, the details of the created companies were used in tax evasion schemes and conversion of non-cash funds into cash for real sector enterprises. Such "technical" companies usually do not conduct real business activities, but ensure the movement of financial flows in the shadow segment.

The suspect was served a notice of suspicion of forgery of documents submitted for state registration of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs. The indictment has already been sent to court.

The sanction of the article provides for a fine or imprisonment for a term of three to five years. The court may also additionally restrict the right to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities.

Also in March, the prosecutor 's office served a notice of suspicion to the director of a breeding institute in Odesa region of fraudulent transactions with state property. Investigators found that in 2019-2020, the director, using his official position, organized the sale of agricultural products to a grain trader at low prices that did not correspond to market prices.

Анна Бальчінос