The National Police of Ukraine has accused the owner of the bankrupt bank "Zemelnyi Kapital" of creating a criminal organization, misappropriation of property, official forgery and money laundering. According to sources, it is about Viktor Topolov, the former minister of the coal industry of Ukraine.
According to the press service of the National Police, the suspect purchased the bank specifically for organizing financial fraud. Members of the bank's board, private entrepreneurs, appraisers and state registrars participated in the scheme. The criminal group registered in the state register of property rights to immovable property objects of a large area in the central districts of Kyiv and Kharkiv, which did not actually exist.
These "fictitious" objects were used as collateral for issuing loans for a total amount of over UAH 90 million .
Use of funds
The withdrawn money was used for:
- financing the construction of factories and thermal power plants;
- operational activities of coal mines;
- purchase of luxury cars and real estate.
Every year, bank employees falsified certificates of verification of the mortgaged property, recording that it supposedly exists and is liquid.
In August 2021, the National Bank of Ukraine recognized "Land Capital" as insolvent due to a lack of funds to fulfill obligations to clients. This was the result of many years of manipulation and abuse.
Investigators identified 27 people who were part of a criminal organization in different years. Suspicions had already been raised against seven of them, and in January 2025 new suspicions were announced, including the owner of the bank.
In order to preserve material evidence and compensate for damages, the court imposed an arrest on:
- 12 apartments in Kyiv;
- 5 private houses with a total area of more than 2000 square meters. m;
- land plots;
- 12 elite cars;
- corporate rights in affiliated enterprises.
Those involved in the case face up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The investigation is ongoing, and law enforcement officers are working to collect additional evidence.
