Fraud Cases in Ukraine Plummet to Lowest Level Since 2016

Ukraine Sees Dramatic Decline in Fraud, Reaching Seven-Year Low

According to ХВИЛЯ: In 2025, Ukrainian authorities registered 48,871 criminal proceedings for fraud under Article 190 of the Criminal Code. This marks a significant 25% drop from the nearly 65,000 cases recorded in 2024. The current figure effectively returns the country to its 2016 level, when just over 46,000 cases were logged. This trend follows a period of severe strain on the judicial system during the ongoing conflict.

Prior to a sharp spike, the years from 2017 to 2021 saw a steady decline in fraud cases, falling from 37,000 to a historic low of 23,800. However, 2023 became a critical peak year, with 82,609 cases registered-approximately 7,000 per month. A downturn began in 2024 with 64,900 cases, and by 2025, the registration of new crimes had decreased to about 4,000 per month.

Criminal Proceedings Data

In 2025, formal suspicion was served in 10,456 cases, representing one in every five proceedings. A total of 8,758 cases, or 18% of all opened investigations, were sent to court. For comparison, 15,607 cases (24%) were transferred to court in 2024.

The most notable improvements were recorded in the Mykolaiv region, where new proceedings nearly halved, and in Bukovyna, with a 39% decline. The Khmelnytskyi region was the sole area to see an increase, with cases rising by 2.7% over the year.

• The highest numbers of criminal fraud proceedings were recorded in these regions:
• Kyiv - 6,825 cases
• Dnipropetrovsk Oblast - 4,844 cases
• Kharkiv Oblast - 3,677 cases

Overall, the data points to a substantial reduction in fraud incidents across Ukraine, bringing the country back to indicators last seen seven years ago.

The decline in fraud cases may signal positive shifts within the law enforcement system, as well as increased public awareness of fraudulent schemes.

This improvement is likely a result of active anti-crime measures and enhanced cooperation between state authorities and the public. The return to 2016 levels suggests that strategic initiatives to combat crime are proving effective, though vigilance against new threats in this sphere remains essential.