In Kharkiv region, a scheme to embezzle nearly 60 million UAH from Ukrenergo has been uncovered, according to the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU).

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) suspects the former deputy chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council of devising a scheme to embezzle funds from "Ukrenergo."

This was reported by the SBU, as conveyed by "Dumka."

According to the investigation, the former deputy chairman of the Kharkiv Regional Council was a council member at the time of the offense and is currently hiding abroad.

In April 2022, the individual, along with accomplices, organized a scheme to misappropriate electricity from "Ukrenergo" amounting to 58.44 million UAH.

To carry out the illegal activities, the deputy involved two accomplices: the founder and director of a private company in Kyiv that trades energy resources.

Together, they established three fictitious companies through which they obtained electricity from the Unified Energy System of Ukraine and sold it to end consumers.

None of these companies paid "Ukrenergo" for the electricity received.

At the same time, the profits obtained from consumers were funneled underground under the guise of repaying debts to affiliated companies.

Subsequently, these "funds paid as debt" were transferred to the accounts of another company registered in the Balkans.

According to the findings of a commission-based forensic economic examination, these actions caused "NEK Ukrenergo" damages amounting to 58.44 million UAH.

During comprehensive operations, law enforcement conducted searches in Kyiv at the premises of the founder of the capital's company and notified him of the suspicion; the other two participants in the transaction were notified in absentia.

In particular, the former deputy and the company director, who are hiding abroad, have been charged under the following articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (in accordance with the committed crimes):

• Part 3, 5 of Article 27, Part 5 of Article 191 (organization and complicity in the appropriation, embezzlement of property, or acquisition through abuse of office, committed on a particularly large scale by an organized group);
• Part 3 of Article 27, Part 3 of Article 209 (legalization (laundering) of property obtained through criminal means).

The actions of the founder of the private company are classified under Part 5 of Article 191, Part 3 of Article 209 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The issue of selecting a preventive measure for him is being resolved.

The investigation continues to hold all participants in the transaction accountable. The wrongdoers face up to 12 years of imprisonment with confiscation of property.