Chernivtsi regional police, together with border guards, have blocked a Telegram channel through which illegal transfers of men abroad were organized. The 19-year-old organizer of this scheme faces up to nine years in prison.
The criminal activity was organized by a resident of Ivano-Frankivsk region, who created a Telegram channel to search for clients. Together with unidentified individuals, he offered services for illegal crossing of the state border, guaranteeing safe departure through unforeseen checkpoints. The suspect was involved in all stages of the organization: from administering the channel to escorting clients to the border. For his services, he received an advance payment of $650 from each client, and after a successful crossing, this amount could increase to $5,000–10,000.
The arrest took place on January 10, when the suspect was caught escorting three men to the border. During the search, law enforcement officers seized physical evidence that confirms the detainee's involvement in illegal human smuggling.
Investigators have charged the organizer with illegal smuggling of persons across the border in a conspiracy by a group of persons, which is punishable by up to nine years in prison. The investigation is currently ongoing, and law enforcement is working to identify other individuals involved in this criminal activity.
