The Security Service exposed another scheme of appropriation of state land on the Black Sea coast. A former deputy of the Zatokiv settlement council, who organized the theft of 15 plots of land for the total amount of UAH 15 million, was detained.
The equipment could disrupt the fortification of the coastline in the Odesa region.
According to the case materials, the mechanism of illegal alienation of land consisted in forgery of documents.
It was added that the ex-deputy prepared false documents about the alleged decision of two village councils to transfer 15 land plots near the sea to private ownership.
The following information has been shared by the Security Service of Ukraine via their official social media handle.
In order to forge the documents, the suspect engaged a local land engineer.
Then the parcels handed over false documents to controlled state registrars, who registered the land for fictitious persons for further sale.
During the searches, forged documents, seals and computer equipment, which were used to implement the criminal scheme, were discovered.
Currently, four participants of the “scheme” have been notified of suspicion under several articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine:
▪️ Part 3 Art. 28 (commitment of a crime by a group of persons, a group of persons based on a prior conspiracy, an organized group or a criminal organization);
▪️ ch. 3, 4 Art. 358 (forgery of documents, seals, stamps and forms, sale or use of forged documents, seals, stamps);
▪️ Part 4 Art. 190 (fraud);
▪️ Part 3 Art. 209 (legalization, laundering of proceeds obtained by crime).
The organizer of the scheme – a former deputy – is in custody. An investigation is ongoing to bring to justice all participants in the crime. Perpetrators face up to 12 years with confiscation of property.
In addition, measures are being taken to return land plots to the ownership of the territorial community. According to the materials of the Security Service, the stolen land has been seized and a ban on its alienation has been established.