Law enforcement officers reported suspicions to the organizer and employees of a network of pseudo-charitable foundations that have been raising funds for seriously ill children, boarding schools, and large families for four years. According to the investigation, the participants in the scheme embezzled about 13 million hryvnias. The Prosecutor General’s Office reported that investigators continue to identify the victims.
In 2020–2024, a network of at least three fictitious charitable foundations operated in Kyiv and Zhytomyr regions. They announced collections for the treatment, rehabilitation, and support of seriously ill children, boarding schools, and large families. The scheme was exposed in 2024.
According to the investigation, it was organized by a 40-year-old resident of Zhytomyr, who involved her sister in criminal activity. More than 20 people worked in the funds: they kept accounting, dealt with legal issues, created websites, searched for and trained operators, and ensured the work of the call center.
“The key was the call center in Zhytomyr. Its operators called citizens, introduced themselves as volunteers, and persuaded them to transfer funds supposedly for children in need of urgent treatment or rehabilitation.
To build trust, the group members used real stories of families who really needed help. Photos, videos, and reports were posted on the funds’ websites, creating the appearance of transparent charitable activities,” – the prosecutor’s office reported.
Most of the money collected did not reach the people, for which announced the fees. In particular, for the mother of two children with disabilities, benefactors transferred more than 400 thousand hryvnias, but she received only 20 thousand hryvnias from the fund.
According to the investigation, the misappropriated funds were withdrawn through individual entrepreneurs, controlled enterprises, as well as payments for legal and consulting services. It was previously established that about 13 million hryvnias were unintentionally withdrawn from the accounts of the funds.
The pre-trial investigation is ongoing, so far 25 victims have been identified, who suffered losses of more than 1.6 million hryvnias. Investigators are looking for other victims.
The organizer and six other participants in the scheme were taken into custody without bail. They are charged with fraud committed repeatedly under martial law, legalization of property obtained by crime, and participation in a criminal organization. The suspects face up to 12 years in prison.
