Fake Volunteer Faces Trial in Chernivtsi for Swindling 75,000 UAH from Military Families

Fraud Disguised as Charity in Chernivtsi

According to Главком: Authorities in Chernivtsi have completed a pre-trial investigation into a 42-year-old woman who posed as a volunteer to defraud five families of servicemen. She promised to help bring their relatives back from combat zones, but instead stole money from them. The total damages inflicted on the victims exceeded 75,000 Ukrainian hryvnias. The suspect was arrested while withdrawing cash from an ATM, and she now faces fraud charges under Part 4 of Article 190 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Victims Span Various Ages

The victims include women of different ages: the first is a 50-year-old from the Bukovyna region, along with women aged 19, 29, 35, and 62. All fell prey to the scam, in which the perpetrator used a fake account and threats, claiming that 'without this, the wounded won’t be evacuated and will be left without help.'

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasized that 'no state institution ever demands money for the release of prisoners or the search for missing persons.'

The indictment has been submitted to the court, with procedural oversight provided by the Chernivtsi District Prosecutor’s Office. Under current law, the maximum penalty for fraud can reach up to eight years in prison. Meanwhile, in the Lviv region, a man was arrested for defrauding the family of a missing soldier of over 2.1 million hryvnias over five months, highlighting the ongoing prevalence of such crimes during wartime.

This case in Chernivtsi underscores the severity of fraud, especially in the context of war, where military families are particularly vulnerable. Perpetrators often exploit the emotional distress of people worried about their loved ones, making it harder to combat these offenses. It is crucial for the public to be aware of these risks and not fall for manipulation, while authorities continue their active efforts to fight fraud.

This incident in Chernivtsi is not an isolated case, as fraudulent schemes targeting military families have become increasingly common. For instance, a recent case in Kyiv involved a man who defrauded an acquaintance in a vehicle sale, facing significant legal repercussions. Such crimes highlight the urgent need for vigilance among the public, especially during times of conflict. To learn more about this alarming trend, read about the serious charges faced by a Kyiv man.