The Security Service of Ukraine is investigating a large-scale money laundering scheme through the state procurement system organized by businessman Oleg Mitrokhin. According to the investigation, companies controlled by him, including LLC NASH IMPORT, LLC MIK, LLC YUGSTAL and LLC PAKOPTTORG, as well as the state enterprise SE DOT, were used to sell goods of inadequate quality, conduct fictitious procurement procedures and launder money.
Criminal proceedings No. 22025101110001160 are being conducted by the Main Investigation Department of the SBU in Kyiv and Kyiv region on the grounds of violations provided for in Part 2 of Article 364 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Investigators are investigating forgery of certification and financial documents, fictitious entrepreneurship, tax evasion, and possible assistance to these actions by officials of the Ministry of Defense.
The mechanism of the scheme consisted of formally transparent but controlled procurement procedures. Pre-determined winners were selected, rejecting cheaper and more economically advantageous offers. Acceptance certificates of goods of inadequate quality were issued on the basis of forged quality certificates, and the cost of contracts was systematically overstated.
The investigation is also investigating the sources of funds, the circle of controlled companies, and the role of Mitrokhin's trusted people in implementing the scheme. In addition, the involvement of tax, customs, and banking officials, as well as officials from the Ministry of Defense, who may have provided cover for illegal activities, is being investigated.
The revealed facts indicate a systemic organization and large-scale losses of public funds, which emphasizes the need to strengthen control over public procurement and transparency of procedures.
