Sunflower scam in Mykolaiv region helped fraudster pay off debts

A fraudster in Mykolaiv region defrauded entrepreneurs of more than UAH 1 million by forging a contract for the supply of agricultural products and taking money for goods that were never delivered. The court extended the suspect's term of detention, and the investigation is ongoing.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Central District Court of Mykolaiv.

The court ruled to extend the suspect's commitment to the court. In December 2024, as part of criminal proceedings, he was accused of committing a crime under Part 5 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine - taking possession of another's property or acquiring the right to property by deception or breach of trust.

In January 2023, the Commercial Court of Odesa Region satisfied the claim of EC Vickerkaar against SMA Logistic for more than UAH 1.4 million, which the latter was obliged to pay in favor of the former.

Later, in February 2024, the suspect, using a fictitious contract for the supply of agricultural products, misled a representative of another company. The suspect offered to make payment for the goods under conditions that were not intended to be fulfilled, and the funds received were sent to accounts where they were automatically debited to repay the debt.

As a result of the fraud, the company received UAH 1.3 million. After that, in accordance with the court decision, the funds were transferred to the accounts of a private enforcement officer, and then to the account of EC Vickerkaar. As a result, the suspect illegally took possession of the said amount.

The court ruled that the suspect's duties remain in force until June 9, 2025. Under the article, he faces imprisonment for 5 to 12 years with confiscation of property.

Recently, the court granted a motion filed by Lebedynsky Seed Plant and canceled the seizure of 1,390 tons of soybeans imposed as part of a fraud investigation. It turned out that the funds under the contract were not transferred to the official account of Avalon LTD - 86% of the amount was transferred to a shell account. Earlier, the court allowed the investigation to seize documents of the company, which is likely to be involved in the fraud.

Анна Бальчінос