NABU, SAPO expose UAH 62 mln embezzlement scheme at SSSCIP, executives among suspects (PHOTOS)

On Nov. 20, 2023, NABU and SAPO exposed an organized group, comprising executives of the State Service of Special Communications and Information Protection of Ukraine (SSSCIP), which misappropriated over UAH 62 million.

As established, during 2020-2022, the owner of a group of companies, in collusion with the executives of the SSSCIP, devised a scheme to embezzle budget funds allocated for the purchase of equipment and software. To execute this scheme, two controlled companies were engaged, while the procurement was classified to avoid open bidding and ensure their victory of the predetermined companies.

With these entities, the state company controlled by the SSSCIP entered into contracts for the supply of software/services and transferring over UAH 285 million in 2021-2022. However, the real value of the software purchased by the companies from a foreign manufacturer was UAH 223 million, and the difference of over UAH 62 million was misappropriated by the suspects. These funds were transferred to the accounts of controlled companies abroad for further laundering and sharing among participants of the scheme.

Six persons have been notified of suspicion so far. Their actions fall under Part 5 Art. 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.
 
The suspects are:

- the head of the SSSCIP and his deputy;
- the general director and an employee of a state-owned enterprise;
- the owner of the group of companies (the organizer of the scheme) and one of his employees.

The investigation is ongoing.