In Kropyvnytskyi, a public organization called "MAN" was exposed, which at the beginning of the war operated only on paper. Members of the organization sold plastic ID cards, chevrons, and certificates with seals, supposedly guaranteeing protection from mobilization. They charged from 20,000 to 80,000 hryvnias for their "services," creating an illusion of security for clients.
The organizer of the scheme, along with several accomplices, clearly divided roles: some sought clients, some produced false documents, and others collected money. The scheme even involved a war veteran who became the organization's secretary and helped convince people to "protect themselves from mobilization."
On February 27, 2024, law enforcement officers conducted searches at the office of the NGO "MAN". Numerous fake IDs, chevrons, and lists of members of the "Turan Battalion" were seized. Investigators established that the organizers acted systematically, profiting from the fear of conscripts and obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
The Kirovsky District Court of Kropyvnytskyi found the organizer guilty of obstructing the lawful activities of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and sentenced him to five years in prison. His accomplice, a war veteran, pleaded guilty and cooperated with the investigation, so he received three years of probation.
This case demonstrates how war creates the conditions for fraud: the fear of mobilization becomes a commodity, and trust becomes a currency that can be easily devalued. The fake “armor” not only provided no legal protection, but also undermined trust in the real volunteers and the army.
